Massacre in Texas | The National Rifle Association in minefield

Barely three days after the killings in Uvalde, Texas, the National Rifle Association (NRA) will inaugurate its 151^and annual convention in Houston. The powerful firearms lobby, however, has some lead in the wing.

Ariane Kroll
The Press

Why is this gathering making headlines?

The NRA convention is taking place this year in Houston, just a few hours drive from Uvalde, where around 20 people, almost all of them children, fell to the bullets of an 18-year-old killer on Tuesday. “As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events and pray for the victims,” ​​the NRA said on Twitter late Wednesday. Attributing the killing to the “act of a deranged isolated criminal”, the association promised to “redouble its commitment to making schools safe”. It is the NRA’s first annual convention to be held in person since the pandemic began, at a time when the organization is plagued by scandals and lawsuits.

Why is the NRA so powerful?

The association is one of the largest lobbies in the United States. Nineteen Republican senators have received more than $1 million in political funding from him during their careers, the Brady group United Against Gun Violence has calculated. Mitt Romney sits at the top of the charts, with 13.6 million. This data compiled in 2019 resurfaced on Wednesday, when Twitter users reposted the solemn messages broadcast by these politicians in the wake of the Uvalde massacre with the sums they received from the NRA.

So why do we say that the organization is weakened?

Senior executives, including President Wayne LaPierre, are accused of having received illegal sums and benefits. The allegations were made by the New York State Attorney General, where the association has been registered since 1871. The NRA is defending itself in court, but admitted to the IRS that Mr. LaPierre and other members of the management received benefits in excess of what is permitted for non-profit organizations, and that other transactions are under investigation. These revelations scandalized many members, some going so far as to demand the dismissal of the president and the board of directors.

So this is encouraging for gun control?

Not really, since other groups considered more radical or more conservative have gained visibility in recent years, including the Second Amendment Foundation, the Virginia Citizens Defense League and the National Association for Gun Rights. The NPR network has won a Pulitzer Prize for its series of podcasts on the current “no compromise”, which rallies activists of several stripes opposed to all gun control.

How does the NRA plan to attract delegates?

Former President Donald Trump will be the featured speaker at the event on Friday, for the sixth time. Firearms, knives and other weapons will however be prohibited in the room, a requirement of the American secret services. Several other elected officials are also planned for the program, including the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, the texan senator Ted Cruz and the governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem. The women’s section of the NRA (the Women’s Leadership Forum) will also have its star speaker, the lieutenant-governor of Virginia, and ex-Navy, Winsome Earle-Sears. Attendees will also have access to a huge “over 14 acres” trade show showcasing the “newest firearms and accessory parts from the hottest companies in the industry,” promises the convention site.

Are there counterweights to the NRA?

Many groups are advocating for better gun control in the United States. Everytown for Gun Safety claims to be the nation’s largest gun violence prevention organization, with nearly six million supporters. Its support fund notably finances the NRA Watch site, as well as research. The immigrant rights organization FIEL Houston also announced a demonstration on Friday afternoon in front of the convention center where the NRA meets.

With information from Reuters, The Associated Press, mother jonesof wall street journalof washington post as well as the NRA