The American firearms lobby group, the National Rifle Association (NRA), opened its annual convention in Houston on Friday day after a horrific shooting at a Texas school that killed 19 children and two teachers.
This is an opportunity to reflects about what happened in Uvalde, says the organization, which has already removed from itself all responsibility for this tragedy.
These tragedies are twisting our stomachssaid Wayne LaPierre, the head of NRA, opening of the conference. however, Restricting the most basic human rights that allow Americans to defend themselves is not the solution and has never been the solution.He added.
Speaking, former Republican President Donald Trump said that the presence of evil in our society is no reason to disarm law-abiding citizens.
” The presence of evil is the reason for arming law-abiding citizens. “
He accused his successor Joe Biden and the Democratic Party of political exploitation family tears orphaned in an effort to pass gun laws.
In calls to limit the number of guns, conservatives oppose the argument of better treatment of mental health problems in the United States, a point which Donald Trump specifically stressed on Friday.
The shooter was a strangely out of control so estimate the former White House tenant.He will burn in hellhe promised.
The former real estate mogul also called for increased security in American schools, suggesting installation sturdy fence and metal detectors in front of schools and to arm teachers.
Other party figures attended the convention, for example Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz. He also spoke Friday afternoon and addressed Uvalde’s murder.
” We all know that what can stop bad people with guns is the good people 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 decided not to travel to attend the NRA convention. However, he told his members in a pre-recorded video.
In particular, he addressed the issue of legislative provisions limiting firearms, saying that the laws did not prevent murder.
After the broadcast of this recording, he specified, at a press conference in Uvalde, that new laws would be enacted in Texas but they would affect mental health more than guns.
NRA Chairman Wayne LaPierre returned to his organization’s traditional rhetoric.
” Restricting the fundamental right of Americans to defend themselves is not the solution. It never was. “
Some star singers chose not to come along. Among them, singer Don McLean, known for his songs American Piewho felt that it would be disrespectful to him to perform there.
Artist Lee Greenwood, whose patriotic achievement God bless the USA pace the meetings of Donald Trump, also preferred to cancel his concert.
Another notable disadvantage was also reported, the maker of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, that is, the model of weapon used by the author of the shot.
At dawn, thousands of gun supporters showed up outside the Houston Convention Center, filled with manufacturers ’booths displaying semi-automatic rifles and hunting gear.
I have guns in every room in my housea 60-year-old man laughed when asked if the rifle he was thinking of buying would come first.
Personally, I think more gun education is needed.explains Lisy, 31, a former serviceman looking for a new gun to put under her skirt, because too hot for pants in texas.
Demonstration against convention
In the afternoon, however, nearly 500 demonstrators holding signs and crosses with pictures of Uvalde shooting victims gathered at the annual NRA convention.
They chant NRAclear! at You’re embarrassing, maybe those are your children!.
On a key stage, Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who will face Greg Abbott in the November gubernatorial election, called on people tostock against guns.
” Our children’s lives are at stake at the voting booth! “
Melinda Hamilton, 60, founder of Fort Worth, Texas-based Mothers of Murdered Angels, who lost her son and grandchild to gun violence, conducted a patrol in a park opposite the convention.
They need to change the laws and we need to fight to change those laws. It makes no sense that an 18 -year -old could buy a gunhe said, referring to the age of those shot in Uvalde and Buffalo, New York.
Johnny Mata, an activist from Houston, called NRA to interrupt the convention and organize a ceremony to honor the victims.
They have the courage not to cancel out of respect for these families, said Johnny Mata, who represents the advocacy group Greater Houston Coalition for Justice. The NRA can stop participating in the murder of children in American schools.
The NRAwhich says five million members, has also specified that to ensure the safety of Donald Trump – to whom the organization has donated tens of millions of dollars during his two presidential campaigns – guns will be banned in Hall.
Source: Radio-Canada
