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TRUMP CHAMPIONS GUN RIGHTS IN NRA SPEECH DAYS AFTER UVALDE SCHOOL
SHOOTING
By Kelly Hooper, 05/27/2022
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Former President Donald Trump on Friday addressed the National Rifle
Association’s annual conference in Houston, slamming Democrats for
their positions on gun control and pointing to mental health as the
root cause of mass shootings just three days after a gunman killed 19
children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.
At the outset of his nearly hourlong address to a supportive crowd,
Trump took a shot at the speakers who decided to not attend the
convention in the wake of Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary
School in Uvalde, Texas.
“Unlike some, I didn’t disappoint you by not showing up,” Trump
told NRA members, who cheered the remark.
Trump spoke at the event alongside several other high-profile
Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and South Dakota Gov.
Kristi Noem — whose remarks the former president applauded
respectively — despite widespread criticism of the event after an
18-year-old gunman opened fire on teachers and pupils with an AR-15
semiautomatic assault rifle, devastating the community just under 300
miles away from the convention.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had been slated to speak in person but opted
instead to address the conference virtually Friday with prerecorded
remarks as he held a press conference in Uvalde at the same time.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was scheduled to speak at the convention
but canceled his appearance “after prayerful consideration and
discussion with NRA officials.” Texas lawmakers Rep. Dan Crenshaw
and Sen. John Cornyn also both pulled out of the event, citing
scheduling conflicts.
In the days following the shooting, President Joe Biden and Democrats
in Congress have reignited calls for tightening gun laws, while many
Republicans have doubled down on their opposition to gun reform —
instead pointing to mental health and school security as the root
cause of mass shootings.
That narrative was in full play at the NRA event, with Trump echoing
other speakers by blasting any attempt from Democrats to curb access
to guns.
“Every time a disturbed or demented person commits such a hideous
crime, there’s always a grotesque effort by some in our society to
use the suffering of others to advance their own extreme political
agenda,” Trump said.
“CLEARLY, WE NEED TO MAKE IT FAR EASIER TO CONFINE THE VIOLENT AND
MENTALLY DERANGED INTO MENTAL INSTITUTIONS,” HE SAID.
The former president invoked Second Amendment rights several times and
stated that “evil” is the reason to arm citizens. He stressed the
importance of added school security measures such as metal detectors
and arming teachers, and said teachers have to be “able to handle”
an active shooter situation.
“CONGRESS SHOULD VOTE IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE BACK EVERY PENNY OF UNUSED
COVID RELIEF MONEY,” HE SAID. “TAKE IT BACK FROM THE STATES AND
USE THAT MONEY TO QUICKLY ESTABLISH IMPENETRABLE SECURITY AT EVERY
SCHOOL ALL ACROSS OUR LAND.”
Trump’s remarks later devolved into a stump speech, as he pledged a
more militaristic policing approach if he’s president again by
“cracking down on violent crime like never before.”
The NRA, a group historically against tightening restrictions to gun
access, called the shooting a “horrific and evil crime” in a
statement Wednesday, adding that it would “reflect on these
events” and “pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members
and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure.”
The gun lobby’s three-day event began earlier Friday with hundreds
of protesters gathering outside the convention center, some holding
crosses with pictures of the victims of Tuesday’s shooting and
shouting “NRA go away.”
In addition to the speakers, four musicians who were scheduled to
perform backed out, including Lee Greenwood, whose music Trump
traditionally walks on stage to at rallies.
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