HOUSTON (KXAN) — Firearms manufacturers, lobbyists and customers will attend the National Rifle Association annual meeting this weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
The event is free to NRA members, their spouse and any of their children under the age of 18.
Some of the educational topics include: “Immediate Response: When Seconds Count”, “Snipers in Ukraine Today” and “Refusing to be a Victim: Crime Prevention Series”.
The session titled “Gun Control Myths: How Politicians, the Media and Failed ‘Studies’ Have Twisted the Facts About Gun Control” has been cancelled. John Lott Jr. was scheduled to speak at the session.
The NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) will conduct “Political Update” sessions about his plans for a mid-term fight to “protect our rights.”
Concealed carry is not allowed at the weekend event, but attendees can still carry open firearms, according to the event website.
However, firearms will not be permitted in the convention center general assembly room during the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum on Friday afternoon. Former President Donald Trump will attend the forum and US Secret Service protections do not allow weapons at its events.
In addition to Trump, the forum lists its speakers as NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, NRA-ILA Executive Director Jason Ouimet, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, Representative Dan Crenshaw and Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.
However, Crenshaw and Cornyn will now not speak at the event due to scheduling conflicts. Cornyn canceled his appearance due to an unexpected change in his schedule prior to the Uvalde shooting, according to Murphy McCollough, Cornyn’s press secretary. According to The Texas TribuneCrenshaw, instead, will be in kyiv, Ukraine, to tour the reopened US embassy.
At a news conference Wednesday, Abbott was vague about whether he would continue to attend.
“As far as future plans go, listen, I’m living moment to moment right now,” Abbott said. “My heart, my head and my body are in Uvalde right now, and I am here to help people who are suffering.”
Triumph posted on Gab social networking site say the US “needs real solutions and real leadership” and says he will speak at the conference. He also asked his followers to pray for the victims of Uvalde and his families.
KXAN has reached out to the rest of the speakers for comment on the NRA annual meeting and has yet to hear back.
The NRA issued a statement on Wednesday:
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families and victims involved in this horrific and evil crime. On behalf of our members, we salute the courage of school officials, first responders, and others who offered their support and services.”
“Although an investigation is ongoing and facts are still emerging, we recognize that this was the act of a lonely and deranged criminal. As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools safe.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke about the NRA annual meeting during Wednesday’s city council meeting:
Turner said he has seen calls to cancel the convention after Tuesday’s mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two adults were killed by an 18-year-old gunman.
“That convention has been on the books for over two years. It’s a contractual arrangement, and we just can’t cancel a conference or convention because we don’t agree with it,” Turner said. “But I think the big question is why do elected officials come to the NRA to speak? What message does that send?
He dismissed Cruz’s call to arm teachers as unserious and told voters to elect politicians who want gun control.
“You can’t send prayers and condolences one day and then stand up for guns the next day,” Turner said. “We are more protective of our guns than we are of our families.”
The protesters plan protest on Discovery Green in opposition to the NRAlocated across from the convention center.
“Every person speaking at this NRA event has blood on their hands. For the black lives of Buffalo, the [21] lost in Uvalde, let’s turn it off,” the Facebook post reads.
Reference-www.kxan.com