Survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla., criticized the National Rifle Association over the weekend after the group said firearms and weapons are prohibited in the arena at its upcoming legislative conference during Vice President Pence’s appearance — even though the NRA is taking direction from the U.S. Secret Service.
The response from Parkland students came after the NRA posted a notice ahead of the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum, which kicks off May 3, notifying attendees that the U.S. Secret Service would be handling event security due to Pence’s attendance. The organization said “firearms and firearm accessories, knives or weapons of any kind will be prohibited in the forum prior to and during his attendance.”
Pence will address the NRA’s conference in Dallas on Friday. Firearms are not prohibited from the full conference, as the NRA said “lawfully carried firearms will be permitted” in the convention center and the hotel in accordance with Texas law.
While the Secret Service is calling the shots, students criticized the NRA for what they said was a double standard.
“The NRA has evolved into such a hilarious parody of itself,” Cameron Kasky, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and a founder of the March for Our Lives, tweeted.
The NRA has evolved into such a hilarious parody of itself. pic.twitter.com/6Pw6NTQAe6
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) April 28, 2018
Kasky’s tweet prompted a response from former student and March for Our Lives chief strategist Matt Deitsch, who accused the NRA of wanting “guns everywhere” when it relates to children.
“Wait wait wait wait wait wait you’re telling me to make the VP safe there aren’t any weapons around but when it comes to children they want guns everywhere? Can someone explain this to me? Because it sounds like the NRA wants to protect people who help them sell guns, not kids,” he tweeted.
Wait wait wait wait wait wait you’re telling me to make the VP safe there aren’t any weapons around but when it comes to children they want guns everywhere? Can someone explain this to me? Because it sounds like the NRA wants to protect people who help them sell guns, not kids.
— Matt Deitsch (@MattxRed) April 28, 2018
Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was among those killed in the Feb. 14 shooting, also criticized the NRA.
“On so many levels, this is enlightening. According to the NRA, we should want everyone to have weapons when we are in public. But when they put on a convention, the weapons are a concern? I thought giving everyone a gun was to enhance safety. Am I missing something?” he tweeted.
On so many levels, this is enlightening. According to the NRA, we should want everyone to have weapons when we are in public. But when they put on a convention, the weapons are a concern? I thought giving everyone a gun was to enhance safety. Am I missing something? https://t.co/f4wgNhJ7RI
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) April 28, 2018
The NRA has at the center of scrutiny following the February shooting as students from the Florida high school have mobilized in calling for stricter gun laws.
