Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Donald Trump scheduled to address NRA conference 72 hours after elementary school shooting
REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo
Just 72 hours after at least 14 children and a teacher were shot to death at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, a number of Republican lawmakers are set to address a National Rifle Association meeting in Houston, including former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The NRA has long opposed efforts to restrict access to guns. In 2011, it sued Texas in a failed effort to force the state to lower the legal age for possessing a handgun from 21 to 18.
The NRA meeting, hosted by the group’s Institute for Legislative Action – its self-described “lobbying” arm – is scheduled to begin Friday. It is open only to NRA members and runs through the weekend.
Additional scheduled speakers include Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. No Democrats are scheduled to be addressing the meeting.