Aviva Fried edited by Wassila Belhacine
Only 48 hours after the Uvalde massacre, which killed nineteen children and two teachers in a school, the National Rifle Association (NRA), the most powerful arms lobby in the United States, meets in annual convention in Houston . Europe 1 went to meet the participants who defend, despite the tragic context of the killing, the sale and carrying of weapons in the United States.
The United States is still in shock after the course of a massacre committed by an 18-year-old young man in a school in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of nineteen children and two teachers. Two days after the tragedy, the big convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the most powerful arms lobby in the United States, meets this Friday, May 27 in the Houston Convention Center. Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former US President Donald Trump will attend.
“The NRA does a lot of good things”
Orange barriers prohibit access to the Houston Convention Center to all cars. Security is tightened to host the annual NRA convention. Max Schilling came to collect his entry badge. For him, the killing of Uvalde does not justify the cancellation of the rally. “It’s sad what happened, but the NRA is doing a lot of good things”, explains Max Schilling at the microphone of Europe 1.
Patrick has been a member of the NRA for fifteen years. He also defends access to weapons: “Look at what is happening in Ukraine. How do Ukrainians defend themselves? With weapons!”, He defends at the microphone of Europe 1.
Firearms are prohibited in the Houston Convention Center
White biker beard, tattoos on his biceps… Bruce proudly displays a ribbon that identifies him as a patriot, a life member of the NRA. In his pocket, he walks around with a gun. For him, the threat comes from the top of the state. “For the first time in the history of the United States, the upper echelons of government have been fraudulently put in place, it’s as if the cartels have taken over our government. People must have the means to respond to that,” he says.
Uvalde’s killing won’t spoil the big NRA party. Ironically, firearms are prohibited in the Convention Center.