Former President Donald Trump is defending the rights of gun owners in remarks to the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Houston, three days after a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school on the other side of the state.
With protesters shouting outside, Trump was set to call Friday for"drastically" changing the nation's approach to mental health" and"a top-to-bottom security overhaul at schools across this country," while dismissing calls to disarm gun owners, according to excerpts of his speech.
Still, he said that"restricting the fundamental human rights of law-abiding Americans to defend themselves is not the answer. It never has been." Some scheduled speakers and performers backed out of the event, including several Texas lawmakers and"American Pie" singer Don McLean, who said"it would be disrespectful" to go ahead with his act after the country's latest mass shooting. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday morning that he had decided not to speak at an event breakfast after"prayerful consideration and discussion with NRA officials.
Larry Miller, 56, from Huntington Beach, California, said he had no problem with the NRA meeting taking place so soon after the Uvalde shooting. He called the shooting"very sad and unfortunate" and said the gunman didn't"have any respect for the people's freedoms that we have here in this country." "Of course, this is the best country in the world," he said."But what good does it do us if we can't protect lives, especially of our children?"
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