In response to the tragedy in Florida, the pro tem Mayor of Dallas has one message for the NRA: Take your convention elsewhere. “I am saying to the NRA, reconsider coming to Dallas,” Dwaine Caraway, told reporters Monday. “There will be marches and demonstrations should they come to Dallas.” In truth, wherever the NRA holds its convention, anti-gun forces either marshal local activists or bus them to create a demonstration and make it look as if they have a larger grass roots presence than they really do.
“It is a tough call when you ask the NRA to reconsider coming to Dallas, but it is putting citizens first and getting them to come to the table and elected officials to come to the table and to address this madness now,” Caraway said.
NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam responded to Caraway’s comments, and flatly stated that the NRA had zero intention of holding its convention anywhere but Dallas in 2018.
“Dallas, like every American city and community, is populated by NRA members. Our members work in fire stations and police departments. They save lives in local hospitals and own businesses in communities urban and rural throughout this country,” Arulanandam said. “No politician anywhere can tell the NRA not to come to their city. We are already there.”
At the end of the day, Caraway is one politician and not representative of the city as a whole. According to VisitDallas, the city’s tourism office has about $400,000 invested in renting the city-owned convention center for the NRA. The estimated impact from tourism should result in about 80,000 visitors and return approximately $40 million to the local economy.
Texas is typically regarded as a gun-friendly state, and given the anticipated 80,000 visitors and hundreds of vendors, speakers, and special guests, the logistics of moving the convention on such short notice would be impossible.
Where do you stand on the Mayor pro tem’s suggestion? Do you approve of the NRA’s stance or response to recent events? Share your answers in the comment section.
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I wonder what would be said if it was the First Amendment they were attacking? Food for thought.
I bet that pro tem has guns guarding him.
Have it in Arizona!
Were still a free state and would welcome the NRA with open arms.
To the Mayor of Dallas, take your ass to Calefornia ,You sure don’t belong in Texas
I agree with the NRA’s response. The mayor has a responsibility to calm his citizenry and he’s exposing his personal bias against the NRA and responsible gun owners.