Working guns prohibited at NRA convention
04/08/15 09:20 AM—Updated 04/08/15 03:35 PM
By Steve Benen
The National Rifle Association’s annual convention kicks off in Nashville this week, with 70,000 people expected to participate in the three-day gathering.
Attendees can expect to find the usual NRA fare and exhibitors at the 350,000-square-foot Music City Center, but they shouldn’t expect to find functioning weapons. The Tennessean reports this week on the “multilevel security plan,” which includes an important safety measure: “All guns on the convention floor will be nonoperational, with the firing pins removed, and any guns purchased during the NRA convention will have to be picked up at a Federal Firearms License dealer, near where the purchaser lives, and will require a legal identification.”
The New York Daily News sees some irony in the convention policy:
The National Rifle Association wants guns at schools, but not its own annual convention. […]
NRA boss Wayne LaPierre has called repeatedly for allowing guns in schools, and other facilities. LaPierre says arming teachers and guards will help prevent gun violence. At least, outside the NRA’s own events.
Of course, there’s also a political angle to keep in mind as the far-right group gathers in Tennessee.
As the local report noted, at least eight likely Republican presidential candidates are scheduled to speak at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum: Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, Mike Pence, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, and Scott Walker.
Donald Trump and Sarah Palin are also expected to appear.
Update: Activists are pushing back against the reporting from The Tennessean and the New York Daily News, arguing that guns on the convention floor will not be operational, but those safety rules don’t override the state’s open-carry laws. The Memphis Daily News published a piece explaining Tennessee gun laws in more detail.
Second Update: A knowledgeable source tells The Rachel Maddow Show that convention attendees will be permitted to carry their guns in the Music City Center – so long as they have the proper permit – but they will not be able carry loaded firearms into the Bridgestone Arena where NRA leaders and Republican presidential hopefuls will speak. |
