Arathy Smasekhar

HOUSTON, (Reuters) – A crowd of protestors angered by the deaths of Texas schoolchildren converged outside the National Rifle Association annual convention in Houston on Friday.

Protesters held up crosses with images of shooting victims, shouted: “NRA goaway” and “Shame it could be your children today,” while hundreds of representatives of America’s largest gun lobby appeared at the traditional hall.

The fatal shooting Tuesday of 19 Uvalde students and 2 teachers in Texas by an 18 year-old gunman equipped to carry an AR-15-style semiautomatic assault rifle will likely limit the attendance at this group’s third convention.

Uvalde lies approximately 280 miles (450km) west of Houston.

Donald Trump (ex-President) and U.S. Ted Cruz (a Republican in Texas), will be delivering addresses Friday afternoon. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Lieutenant. Governor Dan Patrick did not make it to the podium.

Abbott intends to give a recorded address, and will be traveling to Uvalde late in the afternoon. Patrick stated that he will not bring any more pain or grief on the Uvalde families.

In downtown Houston’s massive convention centre, people bought NRA-themed Tshirts and Caps. The group receives a portion of the proceeds from these sales. There were hundreds of gun manufacturer exhibits in the hall, including handguns, hunting guns, and assault rifles.

Tim Hickey, an Marine Corps veteran, was at the event. He dismissed the protests. “These people are puppets and sheep to the media. They are not changing anyone’s mind,” he said.

Kevin Kimbell is a Houston resident who has been a member of NRA since he was 20 years old. He said that he expected fewer members due to Uvalde’s shooting.

Kimbell spoke out about her concern that something insane might happen as protestors arrived in small groups. I was quite concerned about it last night, but I’m still here.”

Johnny Mata, a protestor called upon the NRA for an immediate halt to the convention and a service of remembrance for the 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.”

NRA’s move to host its biggest annual gathering was part of decades-old strategy to resist gun control pressure that began with the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado.

After two cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the weekend convention marks the first time the group of five million members has gathered annually.