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Gun enthusiasts gather for annual NRA conference NRA chief in rallying cry for 'culture war'
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of gun enthusiasts have gathered in Texas for the National Rifle Association (NRA) conference. The incoming president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) has told attendees of its conference they are freedom fighters in a "culture war".
The convention comes weeks after the powerful US gun rights group's opposition helped kill a gun control bill in the US Senate. James Porter, who takes over the top job Monday, issued the rallying cry at the NRA's annual meeting in Texas.
Meanwhile, gun control groups planned counter-demonstrations surrounding the convention in Houston. Tens of thousands of people are expected at the gun rights group's event, which comes weeks after the NRA helped stop a firearms control bill.
The long-dormant US gun debate revived after a December school shooting in which 26 people were killed. Gun control groups plan counter-demonstrations in Houston.
Twenty children were among the dead at a primary school in Newtown, Connecticut. "This is not a battle about gun rights,'' Mr Porter told attendees on Friday, saying it was "a culture war".
On Friday, the NRA's incoming president James Porter issued a challenge to President Barack Obama, saying the group's mission extended beyond gun rights into the broader political sphere. "[You] here in this room are the fighters for freedom," the Alabama lawyer added. "We are the protectors."
"This is not a battle about gun rights," he said, adding NRA members were engaged in "a culture war''. 'Anti-gun elitists'
'Political cloak' About 70,000 people were expected to attend the conference in Houston, where they will browse new products from weapons manufacturers and hunting outfitters and sign up for hunting excursions around the world.
On the stage at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston, NRA Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre told the crowd politicians and the media had repeatedly lied about the organisation and attempted to marginalise gun rights. On the stage at the George Brown Convention Center, the NRA's chief executive, Wayne LaPierre, told the crowd that politicians and the media had repeatedly lied about the organisation.
"NRA members have stared those anti-gun elitists straight in the eye, and we've stared them down," Mr LaPierre told the cheering crowd."NRA members have stared those anti-gun elitists straight in the eye, and we've stared them down," Mr LaPierre told the cheering crowd.
"We will never back away from our resolve to defend our rights and the rights of all law abiding American gun owners." Texas Governor Rick Perry also took to the podium, thanking Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz for "fighting back against the anti-gun lobby in their latest attempt to undercut the [US Constitution's] second amendment", a reference to the failed firearms control measure.
Last month the background checks proposal fell six votes short of the 60 needed to advance in the Senate. It had support from almost all Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama, but faced near unanimous Republican opposition.Last month the background checks proposal fell six votes short of the 60 needed to advance in the Senate. It had support from almost all Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama, but faced near unanimous Republican opposition.
High-profile gun rights activists including former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal were also due to speak at the convention.
'Business cloaked as politics'
And the conference will host a demonstration called Stand and Fight, organised by conservative commentator Glenn Beck.
Military veterans who disagree with the NRA are planning a counter-demonstration called Occupy the NRA, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense were due to rally.
Texas state lawmaker Garnet Coleman, a Democrat whose district is hosting the conference, said he did not plan to attend.
"Clearly, the sales and promotion of firearms is big business," he said. "This is business with politics as the cloak."
Opinion polls have repeatedly shown more than 80% of Americans support a wider system of background checks to keep people with criminal histories from purchasing guns.Opinion polls have repeatedly shown more than 80% of Americans support a wider system of background checks to keep people with criminal histories from purchasing guns.
About 70,000 people were expected to attend the conference in Houston, where they will browse new products from weapons manufacturers and hunting outfitters and sign up for hunting excursions around the world. The long-dormant US gun debate was revived by a December school shooting that left 26 people dead.
There will also be a demonstration called Stand and Fight, organised by conservative commentator Glenn Beck, and speeches from high-profile gun rights activists including former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Twenty children were among the dead at a primary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
In the wake of the Newtown shootings, some states including New York, Colorado and Connecticut have passed gun control legislation, while laws have been loosened in South Dakota, Wyoming and Arkansas.In the wake of the Newtown shootings, some states including New York, Colorado and Connecticut have passed gun control legislation, while laws have been loosened in South Dakota, Wyoming and Arkansas.
Following the Newtown shootings, the NRA called for armed guards in US schools.Following the Newtown shootings, the NRA called for armed guards in US schools.
Meanwhile, military veterans who disagree with the NRA are planning a counter-demonstration called Occupy the NRA, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense were due to rally.
Texas state lawmaker Garnet Coleman, a Democrat whose district is hosting the conference, said he did not plan to attend.
"Clearly, the sales and promotion of firearms is big business," he said. "This is business with politics as the cloak."