Photo: Brandon Bell / Getty Images
For: EFE Updated 25 May 2022 , 18: 05 pm EDT
UVALDE – The National Rifle Association (NRA) confirmed that it is going ahead with its annual convention in Houston, Texas , scheduled for this weekend, despite the criticism it has received for the shooting that occurred at a primary school in Uvalde, in the same state.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the NRA expressed its “deepest” compassion for the families and victims of the “horrible and evil crime.” at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where a young man from 04 years broke in on Tuesday and opened fire with a rifle causing the death of 19 children and two teachers.
The NRA highlighted in its note that, despite the fact that investigations into this event are still underway, it is the “act of a disturbed lone criminal.”
“As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, give the floor to our patriotic members, and promise to redouble our commitments to make schools safe,” the powerful lobby group said.
Since the tragedy in Uvalde, numerous voices have urged the NRA to cancel their annual forum, where Former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott among others are scheduled to speak as speakers.
Abbott was interrupted this Wednesday at a press conference in Uvalde by former Democratic congressman Beto O’Rourke, current candidate for the governorship of Texas, who warned him that this tragedy it was predictable.
Last night, hours after the shooting, OR ‘Rourke on Twitter urged Abbott to cancel his appearance at the NR convention A in Houston.
The “lobby” of the weapons was also the target of criticism from the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, who in an intervention in the plenary session this Wednesday said that the Republicans care more about pleasing the NRA than “families grieving victims of gun violence.”
Schumer remembered that it was almost 30 years, Congress passed the Brady Act that prohibited assault weapons at the federal level (this rule was approved in 1994 expired ten years later as it was not renewed by Congress), which he described as “a great legislative achievement”.
However, he assured that nowadays it is almost impossible to push any regulation forward for gun control because of the NRA and influenced legislators for this group of Pressure.
The US Congress has spent more than two decades without passing a law that limits significantly the possession of weapons, protected in the Second Amendment of the Constitution.
In addition, the NRA has helped finance the political campaigns of hundreds of members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, according to the Open Secrets database maintained by the Center for Responsible Politics.
It may interest you:
– “You’re not doing anything”: They capture on video the moment in which Beto O’Rourke interrupts and blames Greg Abbott for the tragedy in Uvalde
– Fourth grade girl died like a heroin when trying to call 911 before being shot to death at a Texas school
– Who are the victims of the Texas shooting : “He was the sweetest boy I have ever met”