Pro-gun lawmakers and a couple of potential presidential candidates have embraced the National Rifle Association’s move to Texas, agreeing that it was time to “dump” New York City for friendlier territory.
In a new video for the embattled Second Amendment group, House Rep. Jim Jordan said, “The NRA announced they are going to dump New York and reincorporate in the great state of Texas.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz responded, “Let me say to the NRA: Welcome to Texas.”
NRA exiting New York to reincorporate in Texas will make for the most successful and powerful #NRA ever.
Don’t just take our word for it…@TedCruz @MikePompeo @Jim_Jordan @BurgessOwens @MarkRobinsonNC pic.twitter.com/VjYhTc6okZ
— NRA (@NRA) March 4, 2021
The welcome to Texas video features former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson cheering on the move that followed a January decision to declare bankruptcy and switch incorporation locations from New York City to Texas.
The group, headquartered in northern Virginia, is facing a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who wants to kill it. The suit claims that the organization made questionable expenditures.
The NRA said that the lawsuit was politically motivated and pulled up roots.
“NRA incorporating itself in Texas will make it the most successful NRA organization we have ever seen,” said Owens.
The video also took a shot at James.
“Let’s not forget. Letitia James, the New York attorney general, campaigned on a promise to destroy the NRA,” said Robinson, adding, “She called the organization a terrorist organization.”
That opened the door for Pompeo, a potential 2024 presidential candidate. “Trust me, I know what a terrorist organization looks like, and the NRA and its 5 million members definitely aren’t one of those.”
NRA + Texas = ??#CPAC2021 pic.twitter.com/H2dNYMLLKR
— NRA (@NRA) February 28, 2021
After the video was posted on social media, NRA Director of Media Relations Amy Hunter said the group was eager to end the targeting by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration and settle in a gun-friendly state.
“Regardless of political ideology or even stance on the Second Amendment, principled Americans understand that the NRA was targeted by Andrew Cuomo and Letitia James for political reasons. Subject to court approval, we plan to reincorporate in Texas — a state that embraces personal liberty, freedom, and our Second Amendment,” she told Secrets.
Cruz assured viewers that despite media reports saying that the NRA is teetering on failure, it remains strong. “The media is trying to tell you that the NRA is dead, that it’s bankrupt, that it’s hurting, and you know why they want you to believe that? Because that’s what the media wants. I’m here to tell you it isn’t true,” he said.
