Next News Network

On Friday, the NRA kicked off its 151st annual meeting in Houston, Texas at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The meeting came just days after a gunman murdered 19 children and 2 teachers inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas – approximately 300 miles from Houston. The NRA acknowledged the tragedy in a statement, saying in part, “Our deepest sympathies are with the families and victims involved in this horrific and evil crime. On behalf of our members, we salute the courage of school officials, first responders and others who offered their support and services. Although an investigation is underway and facts are still emerging, we recognize this 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 secure.”

During the convention, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, addressed the attack on firearms following the school shooting saying in a taped video message, “There are thousands of laws on the books across the country that limit the owning or using of firearms – laws that have not stopped madmen from carrying out evil acts on innocent people in peaceful communities.”

Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the NRA, also addressed the school shooting during his speech, saying that while school children in America deserve the utmost protection, taking away one’s right to self-defense is not the answer. LaPierre then touted the NRA’s School Shield Program which, according to him, was launched to “promote and fund the necessary security that every school child needs and deserves.”

According to the NRA, its School Shield Program is “committed to addressing the many facets of school security, including best practices in security infrastructure, technology, personnel, training, and policy.”

Texas Senator Ted Cruz also spoke at the convention, highlighting why the Second Amendment has “never been more necessary to secure the rights of our fellow citizens” now than ever, especially with the alarming soft-on-crime policing and prosecuting wave going on in a majority of Democrat-run areas.

North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson was fired up at the convention, telling the crowd exactly why he is a proud “law-abiding, armed, patriotic American.”

Then, Robinson had the crowd on their feet, sending a blistering message to anyone who wishes to strip Americans of their Second Amendment Rights.

President Donald Trump also made an appearance at the convention, telling the crowd that although the Second Amendment is under siege, “we will prevail.”

During his speech, Trump also said it’s time for highly trained teachers to be allowed to carry concealed firearms to protect children at schools.

Then, Donald Trump welcomed to the stage a true American hero – Jack Wilson. Wilson became a true Texas Hero in 2019 when he shot dead a killer, armed with a shotgun, who opened fire in the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth.

Wilson told the crowd that while he hopes nobody is put in the position he was, “you must make the decision to do what is right.”

“I did not kill a human being that day – I took out evil,” Wilson said to the crowd.