Three days after a mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas left 19 youngsters and two adults lifeless, the National Rifle Association kicked off its annual convention about 280 miles away in Houston.
Facing shrinking membership and income and on the heels of a nationwide gun reform debate, keynote audio system such as former President Donald Trump attended the convention that’s scheduled to proceed via Sunday, in line with the NRA’s web site.
During the convention, Trump criticized Republicans who determined to not attend after the shooting in Uvalde, saying, “unlike some, I didn’t disappoint you by not showing up.”
He additionally referred to as the most recent push for gun reform a politically-motivated one.
“They want total gun confiscation,” he claimed. “This would be the first step. Once they get the first step, a second, third and fourth. You’ll have a whole different look at the second amendment.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz echoed Trump’s sentiments, saying, “We know that keeping guns away from citizens who follow the law does very little to keep them away from criminals.”
Meanwhile, outside the convention corridor, the state’s Democratic leaders, along with protesters that included youngsters, expressed outrage in regards to the NRA convention’s attendees.
Wally Skalij through Getty
“They prioritize power and profits over lives. I don’t know if you’ll ever find common ground with someone who operates like that,” Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke instructed CBS News. O’Rourke earlier within the week confronted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott concerning his response to the Uvalde shooting throughout a press convention.
An activist on Friday evening additionally confronted Cruz at a restaurant in Houston. In video shared on social media, Benjamin Hernandez, a board member of the group Indivisible Houston, requested Cruz why he attended the convention and implored the senator to assist “stronger gun laws,” together with background checks. Cruz begins to reply a number of instances, however Hernandez talks over him.
Security shortly intervened and bought between the 2, as Hernandez repeatedly requested Cruz, “Why does this keep happening?”
As safety eliminated Hernandez from the restaurant, he yelled at Cruz, “Nineteen children died. That’s on your hands. That is on your hands. Ted Cruz, that’s on your hands!”
Hernandez instructed CBS News on Saturday that he confronted Cruz as a result of he believes the senator “needs to be held accountable.”
Texas Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee instructed CBS News that months forward of the midterm elections, she thinks Washington won’t stay divided on gun legal guidelines.
“I hope not. I hope my sense of anxiety and my sense of anger does not counter our responsibility of working on compromise and getting it done.”