By Dareh Gregorian —
NBC News
Thousands of gun owners, crowds of protesters and some prominent Republican politicians are expected in Houston for the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association (NRA) on Friday, just three days after 19 children and two teachers were shot to death at an elementary school in South Texas.
Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center and running through Sunday, the event "will showcase more than 14 acres of the latest weapons and equipment," the NRA noted on its website, describing it as "a weekend full of freedom for the whole family.”
Some
70,000 people
are expected over the three days.
Admission is free for NRA members and their immediate families, including those under 18, the group's site says.
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Some Democratic politicians and gun control advocates had urged the group to postpone or move the event, which takes place about
270 miles from the site
of Tuesday's shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, given the timing.
Speakers scheduled for Friday include former President Donald Trump, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who was scheduled to address the convention, decided not to attend the event and return to Uvalde.
His office said he will make videotaped remarks for the NRA event.
"Governor Abbott, if you have any decency, you will immediately withdraw from this weekend's NRA convention and urge them to hold it anywhere but Texas," Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke tweeted on Wednesday. governor.
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Also scheduled to speak on Friday is Wayne LaPierre, the powerful executive vice president of the group, which the New York attorney general is trying to unseat, alleging he used the organization as his "personal piggy bank."
LaPierre maintains that the lawsuit is political and should be dismissed.
Several activist groups, including Black Lives Matter Houston and the gun safety group Moms Demand Action, plan to protest outside the convention center on Friday.
“We do not want, need or accept the NRA planning to come here on Friday,” one of the organizations, FAITHFUL Houston, an immigrant rights group, said on Twitter.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, told a City Council meeting this week that he had been asked to cancel the convention after the shooting but said it was not feasible.
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"It's a contractual agreement, and we just can't cancel a conference or a convention because we don't agree with it," Turner said, adding that the "biggest question is why do elected officials go to the NRA to speak?"
"What message does that send?" he asked, adding:
"You can't be praying and sending condolences one day and then go defend your guns the next
. "
Cruz's office has declined to comment on his plans for Friday's event.
Trump said in a statement that he would keep his "long commitment" to speak out because the country needs "real solutions and real leadership right now."
Ted Cruz is the senator who has received the most money from pro-weapon groups.
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Two Texas Republicans who had been scheduled to speak, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, have said they are unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts unrelated to the shooting.
American Pie singer Don McLean, who was scheduled to perform Saturday at
the convention's
Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert, announced his cancellation.
“I have decided that it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” he said in a statement to Maine's Portland Press Herald.
“I am sure that all the people who plan to attend this event are shocked and disgusted by these events as well.
After all, we are all Americans.
I share the pain of this terrible and cruel loss with the rest of the nation,” he added.
Other countries have suffered shootings but legislated and gun deaths fell.
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Country singers Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart announced Thursday that they were also retiring.
“Although I agree with most of the NRA's stances, I have come to believe that while background checks would not stop every maniac with a gun, it is at least a step in the right direction in trying to prevent the kind of tragedy we saw this week in Uvalde — in my dearly mourned TEXAS,” Gatlin said in a statement.
The NRA said in a statement this week that the shooting "was the act of a
lone, 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."
People at the National Rifle Association annual meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Houston.Michael Wyke/AP
While the NRA has advocated more "good guys with guns" as the best way to stop mass shooters, guns are banned from the convention center's assembly room on Friday because of Trump's presence.
The NRA said that according to the Secret Service there will be magnetometers on site and that "firearms, firearms accessories, knives and other items WILL NOT BE ALLOWED in the General Assembly Hall."
