Major NRA announcement in Columbus, OH tommorrow July 18th?

[Lanceman]

Are they actually going to cancel the convention ? I hope so after the local AWB there and every person I know who is a NRA member will be very disgruntled with them as an organization if they do anything that rewards the city of Columbus. Plus it is a good publicity opportunity with S.397 coming up for consideration very soon.


http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/Releases.aspx?ID=6132

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre to Make Major Announcement in Columbus, Ohio Monday July 18

Thursday, July 14, 2005

MEDIA ADVISORY

(FAIRFAX, VA) – National Rifle Association (NRA) Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre will be in Columbus, Ohio on July 18, 2005 to make a major announcement.

Members of the media are invited to cover the press conference.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m.
July 18, 2005

Greater Columbus Convention Center
North Foyer (adjacent to Room E 170)

400 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215



Members of the media should use the entrance at the corner of High St. and Goodale Blvd.

 

[taliv]

<insert obligatory NRA rant>

i hope there's something more to it than "we're moving the convention", because that's not exactly "major".

 

[yucaipa]

What convention are they moving ?

 

[Kamicosmos]

What convention are they moving ?

Uh.....that little thing called the NRA National Convention, maybe?

 

[jfh]

think about this idea a bit...

after you consider that even in the hottest antigun moment--a week or two after the Columbine massacre--the NRA did not cancel its convention.

What in heaven's name would make the current issues in Columbus, OH, worse than that mess in Colorado?

And, why would LaPierre travel to OH to do it?

Much more likely, it is an ILA-type announcement in support of either local / state or federal pro-gun legislation. How about new support and campaign to repeal that AWB that got pushed in?

 

[crewsr]

maybe

-nranews on xm radio?
-new cable channel?
-a new national pro-gun, pro conservative newspaper to go up against usatoday?
-how bout a lawsuit against the city of Columbus?
-How about introducing a bill to amend the Constitution that with 2/3rds the vote from the house and 51% majority in the Senate COULD START OVERTURNING THESE BAD SCOTUS RULINGS.

 

[yucaipa]

Uh.....that little thing called the NRA National Convention, maybe?

The Convention is in Milwaukee.

 

[nico]

-a new national pro-gun, pro conservative newspaper to go up against usatoday?

maybe I'm alone in this view, but I don't want the NRA to be "pro-conservative" any more than I want them to be "pro-liberal." I want the NRA to be pro-gun period. The only thing sticking their nose into other "conservative" or "liberal" causes does is alienate people who might otherwise support the organization.

 

[crewsr]

Oookay

please show me the pro-gun pro liberal, ted kennedy groups out there. I agree with you in theory that the NRA should be just pro-gun. Just as in theory we shouldnt need any group to fight for any part of the Bill of Rights. The reality of the day is very different. Are there a token few Dems the NRA rightfully support? YES. But you tell me, is the NRA liberal or Conservative? Its conservative because thats where the overwelming support for gun ownership and 2ndA freedom is. And more conservatives can be found in the GOP then the Dems. Thats just reality. Now when the day comes when the liberals become more pro gun than the conservatives (I'll hold my breath) they will court the libs more. The NRA supports members of both parties if that person "fits the bill". But I'm talking conservative not republician. There is a difference.

You dont want a "pro conservative" or "pro liberal" NRA. You basically want the NRA to be apolitical. I dont mean to be blunt here but it makes me wonder if you have ever read anything coming out of the NRA...... (see last election)

 

[nico]

I didn't say I wanted the NRA to be apolitical; no need to put words in my mouth. I said I don't want them to be concerned with stupid labels like "liberal" or "conservative" and I don't want them getting involved in issues that might affect their 2nd Amendment advocacy. Can anyone give a difinitive definition of "liberal" or "conservative?" The popular definitions of the two words seem to change with the weather depending on what issues a given party is trying to push.

 

[Justin]

after you consider that even in the hottest antigun moment--a week or two after the Columbine massacre--the NRA did not cancel its convention.

My understanding was that this had to do with the contract they'd signed. Cancelling at that point would have resulted in the NRA being sued for failing to follow through.

 

[jfh]

My understanding was that this had to do with the contract they'd signed....

That was certainly part of it, Justin. IIRC, it also had to do with the general requirements of the bylaws for doing the annual meeting, and the entire host of issues of cancelling a huge convention, complete with the logistics of it, on a short notice.

Given the execrable nightmare of those days, they also managed to carry the condensed convention and related meeting off with a bit of panache, I thought, without appearing to be too appeasing to the white-hot rhetoric.

For this one--my guess is that they are going to announce a lawsuit against the Columbus AWB--isn't Columbus short of money, and can ill-afford to pursue a Democrat anti-gun agenda a la Chicago, etc.?

 

[MNCCW]

Confirmed, they have pulled out of Columbus.

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/Releases.aspx?ID=6143


Council’s Decision to Ban Guns Prompts Exodus

Columbus, OH -- As a direct result of the Columbus City Council decision to ban semi-automatic firearm ownership for law-abiding citizens, the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced it will move its 2007 Annual Meeting and Convention from Columbus, OH. Speaking at a press conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre stated that the NRA would return to Columbus when the Legislature enacts a preemption law that would override the Columbus ban.

“Two months ago, I was pleased to announce that the National Rifle Association chose the great city of Columbus to host our 136th Annual Meetings and Exhibits in May of 2007,” said LaPierre. “The NRA is not coming to Columbus in 2007. The convention is cancelled because last week your City Council unanimously voted to revoke the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens in Columbus by banning perfectly legal firearms.”

[continued]

 

[yucaipa]

Good, I didn't realize that they scheduled more then 1 year ahead.

What do you think the local papers will say in their op-eds?

 

[billwiese]

Good, congrats to the NRA and Wayne.

Big meetings/conventions that are even 1/4 the size of the NRA convention are trenendously difficult to schedule and plan in the first place with even a couple of years' advance notice.

So the NRA will have to do some more planning and now in a condensed timeframe. I can assure you this decision was not taken lightly, but maybe it'll put some financial pressure on relevant Columbus businesses & organizations, who will in turn fund some future decent city council candidates.

I'm hoping for Reno (again!), Vegas or Phoenix soon given my location.

Bill Wiese
San Jose CA

 

[Bravo11]

I was thinking they were going to announce that I had won that Sharps rifle that Selleck is giving away.

 

[armedcitizen]

As a local, I'm sorry the Convention won't be here but glad the NRA is standing on its principles.

 

[SMMAssociates]

I'd thought about attending - I've got family there, but given that the venue would almost certainly be a CPZ, figured I'd just visit the little ones.

I'll still end up visiting the little ones, but won't stay in Columbus itself. Plenty of nice hotels around the area, and my destination is in a 'burb.

Don't forget, guys, that Coleman wants to be Governor.

 

[308win]

They cancelled the 2007 convention. The esteemed council members and the Mayor have done their obligatory 'we aren't going to be cowed out of doing what is best for Columbus by a special interest group' press conferences. The NRA also announced that they are working with State Rep Aslanides to introduce legislation that will among other things prohibit any local gun control ordinance. If this legislation passes the convention in Columbus is on again.

 

[Coronach]

You know, as much as I appreciate and applaud the NRA for pulling out, it would have been mighty darned helpful if they had, you know, had a presence here when city council was debating this stupid legislation. Not that I think it would change anything (all Dem council, who ignored all manner of testimony and debate by private citizens and bought into the effluence of Toby Hoover, et. al.), but it still might have been nice to shine the spotlight on the council.

Mike

 

[Turkey Creek]

So now we need a site for 2007- my vote is for Vegas!- WhooHaaa!

 

[dpesec]

Fello Buckeyes

I'm glad they pulled it, This is not the first time Columbus has forced out gun owners. Remember Ohio Gun Collectors? We went to Willimgton. I'd love it if the NRA would go there. The only problem is there is not enough hotel rooms.

Regarding coleman as Governor, it firghtens me, he's done such a good job with Columbus.... Ohio will be in worse shape.

 

[AZRickD]

According to FoxNews(?) the pull-out will cost the local economy between 15-million and 20-million dollars.

As for the reason NRA conducted business in Littleton after Columbine, NRA was legally required to hold a meeting of the Board of Directors. Too late to move the event. They scaled it back instead (they shouldn't have).

Sadly, on the talking head shows after Columbine, NRA was difficult to find. GOA on the other hand, was all over the place defending the concept of RKBA.

Rick