Protests at NRA Convention in Texas, but Speakers Reject New Gun Laws

Sabtu, 28 Mei 2022 | 17:39 WIB
Protests at NRA Convention in Texas, but Speakers Reject New Gun Laws
[ILUSTRASI. A man holding a riffle at Sig Sauer booth in National Rifle Association (NRA) at Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S, 28 April 2019.]
Reporter: Sumber: Reuters | Editor: Thomas Hadiwinata

KONTAN.CO.ID - HOUSTON, May 27 (Reuters) - Protesters holding signs and crosses with photos of victims from the Texas elementary school shooting protested Friday outside the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Houston, as the gun lobby came under pressure after the massacre.

Attendance was dampened and speakers and featured musical acts stayed away as about 500 protesters, some shouting "NRA go away," and "Shame, it could be your kids today," jeered attendees outside the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Tuesday's fatal shooting of 19 pupils and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, by an 18-year-old gunman equipped with an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle again focused attention on the NRA, the nation's biggest gun lobby and a major donor to Congress members, mostly Republicans.

Uvalde is about 280 miles (450 km) west of Houston.

Baca Juga: U.S. Issues Sanctions Targeting North Korean Weapons of Mass Destruction Program

Video of the main auditorium in Houston, which holds about 3,600 people, showed it to be about half-full as former President Donald Trump took the stage late Friday afternoon.

"The existence of evil in our world is not a reason to disarm law abiding citizens," Trump told the audience to cheers, echoing speakers who rejected background checks or bans on semiautomatic weapons.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican, urged attendees not to back down in their fight against gun control. "Now would be the worst time to quit. Now is when we double down," she said.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick dropped out of making in-person remarks at the event. Patrick said he withdrew so as not to "bring any additional pain or grief to the families and all the suffering in Uvalde."

The headliners at a weekend concert, Don McLean, Larry Gatlin and Lee Greenwood, canceled their appearances. Gatlin issued a statement supporting background checks, calling it a "step in the right direction."

Baca Juga: Oil Settles Up Ahead of U.S. Driving Season, EU Embargo Decision

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said in a speech to the meeting that communities needed weapons to stay safe. "Taking away guns will not make them safer."

The NRA's decision to proceed with its largest annual gathering is part of a decades-long strategy of standing up to pressure for gun control that dates to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado.

Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive director, addressed the school killings but said gun owners "love our nation, love our children and grandchildren. ... That's why we will always cherish and protect our fundamental right to defend ourselves and our communities."

At a park near the convention center, protester Harper Young, a 15-year-old Houston student, held a poster and choked back tears. "It's completely unacceptable that gun violence is happening again and again. It's horrific," he said.

Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union, rejected suggestions that teachers be armed to thwart future shootings.

"More guns equal more violence," she said. "Assault weapons should be banned," she said outside the meeting.

Houston activist Johnny Mata called on the NRA to halt the convention and hold a memorial service for the Uvalde victims.

"They have the audacity not to cancel in respect of these families, said Mata, who represented advocacy group Greater Houston Coalition for Justice. The NRA should "quit being a part of the assassination of children in American schools."

Baca Juga: Shanghai Heading Out of Lockdown But China Still Lost in Economic Gloom

Tim Hickey, a Marine Corps veteran attending the event, dismissed the protests. "These people are puppets and sheep to the media. They are not changing anyone's mind," he said.

On the convention center's exhibit floor, attendees handled rifles, handguns, hunting and assault-style rifles at dozens of booths, and browse Sierra Bullets and other firms' ammunition displays.

The weekend convention was the five million-member group's first annual get together after two prior cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Posters celebrating its 150th anniversary hung over the exhibit hall.

In a pre-recorded video, Abbott said, "as Texans and as Americans we grieve and mourn with these families." But he said existing gun laws did not stop the Uvalde shooter and pushed back at calls for new legislation, saying "laws will not stop evil madmen from committing these atrocities."

Bagikan

Berita Terbaru

PTPP Kembali Digugat PKPU, Kali Ini Oleh Dua Perusahaan Konstruksi di Tangerang
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 09:20 WIB

PTPP Kembali Digugat PKPU, Kali Ini Oleh Dua Perusahaan Konstruksi di Tangerang

Kas dan setara kas PTPP turun hingga 41% YoY dari Rp 4,32 triliun di semester I-2024 menjadi Rp 2,54 triliun di semester I-2025.

CEO BRI Ventures Jadi Tersangka, Terseret Kasus Dugaan Korupsi Investasi TaniHub
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 09:02 WIB

CEO BRI Ventures Jadi Tersangka, Terseret Kasus Dugaan Korupsi Investasi TaniHub

Penyidik Kejaksaan Agung telah menyita beberapa bukti elektronik berupa handphone dan menyita empat bidang tanah di Jabodetabek dan Bandung.

Volatilitas Saham TAYS Tak Didukung Sentimen Fundamental, Investor Kudu Hati-Hati
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 08:33 WIB

Volatilitas Saham TAYS Tak Didukung Sentimen Fundamental, Investor Kudu Hati-Hati

Saham TAYS mulai bergerak naik sejak 12 Agustus 2025 ketika harganya mulai beranjak dari gocap ke Rp 52.

BNBR Bakal Jadi 100% Pengendali Cimanggis Cibitung Tollways, Pendapatan Naik 25%
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 08:16 WIB

BNBR Bakal Jadi 100% Pengendali Cimanggis Cibitung Tollways, Pendapatan Naik 25%

PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk (BNBR) akan membiayai akuisisi 90% saham PT Cimanggis Cibitung Tollways lewat utang.

Pamor KPR Syariah Tak Redup Meski Bunga Acuan Menguncup
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 04:45 WIB

Pamor KPR Syariah Tak Redup Meski Bunga Acuan Menguncup

kebijakan bank konvensional yang masih enggan menurunkan bunga kreditnya membuat bisnis KPRsyariah belum kehilangan pamor.

Aset Dapen Masih Bisa Mengembang Meski Kondisi Menantang
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 04:15 WIB

Aset Dapen Masih Bisa Mengembang Meski Kondisi Menantang

Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) mencatat, industri dapen sukarela mengelola aset Rp 392,56 triliun per Juli 2025, alias meningkat 4,66%.

Likuiditas Kuat, Potensi Saham BBNI Masih Cukup Baik
| Jumat, 05 September 2025 | 04:00 WIB

Likuiditas Kuat, Potensi Saham BBNI Masih Cukup Baik

Target NIM PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk (BBNI) yang semula dipasang 4,0%–4,2%, diturunkan menjadi 3,8%.

Kinerja Semester II SMBR Bakal Terkerek Kenaikan Permintaan di Pasar Sumatra
| Kamis, 04 September 2025 | 17:13 WIB

Kinerja Semester II SMBR Bakal Terkerek Kenaikan Permintaan di Pasar Sumatra

Untuk menjaga momentum, strategi utama yang ditempuh SMBR adalah melakukan efisiensi biaya melalui konsolidasi logistik bersama SIG​.

Berupaya Perbaiki Kinerja, Begini Rekomendasi Saham Krakatau Steel (KRAS)
| Kamis, 04 September 2025 | 12:00 WIB

Berupaya Perbaiki Kinerja, Begini Rekomendasi Saham Krakatau Steel (KRAS)

Dengan utilisasi yang lebih tinggi, efisiensi produksi diproyeksikan meningkat signifikan, sehingga mendorong kenaikan penjualan.

Cadangan Devisa Bank Sentral Dunia Berbentuk Emas Cetak Rekor, Melampaui US Treasury
| Kamis, 04 September 2025 | 10:03 WIB

Cadangan Devisa Bank Sentral Dunia Berbentuk Emas Cetak Rekor, Melampaui US Treasury

Hingga beberapa bulan mendatang, hampir seluruh bank sentral di dunia menyebut akan menambah cadangan emasnya.

INDEKS BERITA