National Rifle Association Annual Convention | “Their blood is on your hands”, indignant protesters

(Houston, Texas) The annual convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA) – the influential pro-firearms lobby of the United States – was held in an overheated atmosphere Friday in Houston, Texas. A controversial event a few days after the killing that killed 21 people in a primary school in Uvalde, 500 kilometers to the west.

Lila Dussault
The Press

Avenida de las Americas in downtown Houston lived up to its name on Friday. It separated two distinct Americas. On the one hand, the one where hundreds of people gather to shop for over-the-counter firearms in a convention center of more than 4000 square meters – the equivalent of a large Canadian Tire.

On the other, an angry crowd, denouncing the unlimited access to weapons and mourning the thousands of victims fallen under the bullets each year in the United States. A rage revived by the recent massacre of 19 children and 2 teachers in a primary school in Uvalde, several hours away.

Recall that the young 18-year-old shooter carried two rifles, including a semi-automatic assault rifle, and 375 cartridges. In 2020 in the United States, 19,350 homicides and 24,245 suicides with a firearm were recorded.

The NRA convention was held in the George R. Brown Center, a glass building protected by a heavy police presence, including officers on horseback.

Opposite, in Discovery Green Park, a small crowd held behind barriers inveighs at the congress participants, in a din of cries and sirens. “Their blood is on your hands,” they shout.

“I’m here because these people care more about their guns than human rights!” said 17-year-old Krista Cain, standing in the middle of the protest. “Not one more”, can we read in Spanish on the sign she is waving.

A little further, Todd Brannon, veteran of the Texas National Guard, protests: “It does not work, to have no restrictions. We have an 18-year-old who walked into a store, bought a gun and ammunition, without any training. This is madness ! »

on the other side of the mirror

Across the street, attendees of the long-planned NRA convention come and go, purchases in hand. Some stop to observe the gathering opposite, impassive. Many decline the interview request of The Press.

Pat Veldez, 65, agrees to play the game. “We are here at the NRA convention to see what is new [dans le marché des armes à feu], he explains. And to exercise the Second Amendment. This article of the American Constitution recognizes to the people the right to possess and carry a weapon.

Does he feel any discomfort after the killing of Uvalde? No, he said, because the young man had a mental health problem. “Humans don’t harm other humans unless they are disturbed,” he said.

Mr. Veldez ends his day with new maintenance items for his pistol, bought the day before.

Politicize the drama

Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the NRA convention on Friday afternoon, broadcast live from the Exhibit Hall – a vast enclosure where gun booths stretch as far as the eye can see (almost). trendy. In front of the televisions, customers stop between purchases to listen. Outside, a helicopter flies over the scene.

“The existence of evil in our society is no reason to disarm law-abiding citizens,” said the former president, accusing the Democrats of politicizing the debate. “The existence of evil is the reason for arming law-abiding citizens. »

Earlier, Ted Cruz, a Republican senator from Texas, also gave a speech in favor of guns. The Republican governor of the state, Greg Abbott, has decided, for his part, not to go to Congress. He instead organized a press conference in Uvalde.

Many country stars as well as the manufacturer of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, the weapon used by the author of the Uvalde massacre, have also decided not to participate in the controversial event.