Opinion | For the N.R.A. and Trump, the Show Must Go On in Texas
New York TimesMay 27, 2022
The National Rifle Association (NRA) began its annual convention in Houston on Fri. – three days after a gunman killed 19 students and two adults at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
The NRA said that people attending the gathering will "reflect on" the Uvalde shooting, "pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to double our commitment to making our schools safe."
Holding a convention celebrating guns in the wake of a tragic mass shooting is inappropriate and cruel. Unfortunately, the GOP not only relies on the gun lobby for financing, but also uses it to push its agenda, and cultivate its next generation of Republican celebrities.
With yet another tragedy sparking a partisan battle over gun rights, carrying on with the event offers an important opportunity for figures like Trump to address the masses and focus on real solutions that Americans can embrace to prevent future tragedy.
Abbott, who's running for re-election, is trying to make sure this tragedy doesn't hurt his political chances. He's attempting to have it both ways by visiting Uvalde but also sending a video message to the NRA convention after he was criticized for attending a fundraiser not long after the shooting.
There is a 1% chance that the Second Amendment, as written and in force on December 13th, 2018, will be successfully amended or repealed before Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.