In Texas, the NRA holds its convention under boos and encouragement

It’s an opportunity to reflect about what happened in Uvalde, said the organization, which has already cleared itself of all responsibility in this tragedy.

These tragedies twist our stomachssaid Wayne LaPierre, the leader of the NRANational Rifle Association, opening the conference. Nevertheless, restricting the most basic human rights that allow Americans to defend themselves is not the solution and never has beenhe added.

Speaking, former Republican President Donald Trump said that the existence of evil in our society is no reason to disarm law-abiding citizens.

” The existence of evil is the reason for arming law-abiding citizens. »

He accused his successor Joe Biden and the Democratic Party of politically exploiting family tears bereaved trying to pass gun laws.

To calls to limit the number of firearms, the conservatives oppose the argument of better treating mental health problems in the United States, an aspect on which Donald Trump particularly insisted on Friday.

The shooter was a insane out of control thus estimated the former tenant of the White House. He will burn in hellhe promised.

The former real estate magnate also called for increased security in American schools, suggesting installing sturdy fences and metal detectors in front of schools and to arm teachers.

Other party figures, for example Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz, attend the convention. He also spoke on Friday afternoon.

” We all know that what can stop the bad guys with guns are the good guys with guns. […] We must not respond to tragedy by abandoning our Constitution or restricting the rights of our citizens. »

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, a prominent gun rights advocate and candidate for re-election this year, has made the decision not to travel to attend the NRA convention. He did, however, address his members in a pre-recorded video.

In particular, he addressed the issue of legislative provisions that limit firearms, stating that the laws did not prevent the killing.

After the broadcast of this recording, he specified, during a press conference in Uvalde, that new laws will be adopted in Texas but that they will affect mental health rather than firearms.

NRA Chairman Wayne LaPierre returned to his organization’s traditional rhetoric.

” Restricting the basic right of Americans to defend themselves is not the solution. It never was. »

Several star singers chose not to come. Among them, the singer Don McLean, known for his song American Piewho felt it would be disrespectful of her to perform there.

Artist Lee Greenwood, whose patriotic success God Bless the USA pace the meetings of Donald Trump, also preferred to cancel his concert.

Another notable absence is also reported, that of the manufacturer of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, that is to say the model of weapon used by the author of the shooting.

By late morning, thousands of gun supporters demonstrated outside the Houston Convention Center, which was filled with manufacturers’ booths displaying semi-automatic rifles and hunting equipment.

I got guns in every room of my housea man in his 60s laughed when asked if the rifle he was considering buying would be his first.

Personally, I think more gun education is needed.explained Lisy, 31, a former serviceman who is looking to find a new gun to slip under her skirt, because it’s too hot for pants in texas.

Demonstration against the convention

However, in the afternoon, nearly 500 demonstrators who held signs and crosses emblazoned with pictures of the victims of the Uvalde shooting converged on the annual NRA convention.

They were chanting NRA National Rifle Associationclear! and Shame on you, it could be your kids!.

On a packed stage, Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who will face Greg Abbott in the gubernatorial election in November, called the crowd to thestock against firearms.

” Our children’s lives are at stake in the voting booth! »

Melinda Hamilton, 60, founder of Fort Worth, Texas-based Mothers of Murdered Angels, who lost her daughter and grandson to gun violence, held a vigil at a park in opposite the convention.

They have to change the laws and we have to fight to change those laws. It makes no sense that an 18 year old can buy a gunshe said, referring to the ages of the shooters in Uvalde and Buffalo, New York.

Johnny Mata, an activist from Houston, called the NRA National Rifle Association to interrupt the convention and organize a ceremony to honor the victims.

They have the audacity not to cancel out of respect for these families, said Johnny Mata, who represented the advocacy group Greater Houston Coalition for Justice. The NRA National Rifle Association should stop participating in the murder of children in American schools.

The NRA National Rifle Associationwhich claims five million members, also specified that to ensure the safety of Donald Trump – to whom the organization gave tens of millions of dollars during his two presidential campaigns – firearms would be prohibited in the Hall.