[5/8/23] Texas House approves measure to
raise age for purchasing certain rifles
[6/17/22] Cornyn
booed at GOP convention for negotiating gun legislation
[5/29/22] Oprah
interviews David Frum on gun violence
[5/26/22] Don McLean is
pulling out of his upcoming performance at the
National Rifle Association convention, citing Tuesday's
shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
The
"American Pie" singer-songwriter
released a statement saying it would be "hurtful and "disrespectful"
for him to perform at the NRA conference in Houston, which will be a
meeting of gun rights advocates from across the country.
"In
light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be
disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their
convention in Houston this week," McLean said in a statement to USA
TODAY Thursday. "I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event
are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all
Americans."
Those still planning to attend include Texas politicians and former President Donald Trump. The organization
released a statement Wednesday confirming that the scheduled convention would still take place and the event would "reflect on these events."
McLean's statement continued: "I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation."
Larry Gatlin can't perform at NRA convention 'in good conscience'
Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin was
also scheduled to perform at the upcoming convention but released a
statement Thursday saying he can't perform "in good conscience"
"While I agree with most of the positions held by the NRA," Gatlin said in a statement sent to USA TODAY.
"I have come to believe that, while background checks would not stop
every madman with a gun, it is at the very least a step in the right
direction toward trying to prevent the kind of tragedy we saw this week
in Uvalde."
The
Texas native continued: "My prayers and thoughts go to all who are
suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and
ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA. I'm a 2nd
Amendment guy, but the 2nd Amendment should not apply to everyone. It's
that simple."
Larry Stewart of Restless Heart also withdraws from convention
Larry
Stewart, lead singer of country band Restless Heart said he also
wouldn't be performing in a statement to USA TODAY Thursday.
"Due
to the tragedy in Uvalde with the horrific school shooting and children
who died, I want to honor the victims, families, the town and our
friends in the great state of Texas the best I know how. So I have made
the decision to pull out as a performer for the NRA convention this
weekend," Stewart said.
Stewart
reinforced his belief in the Second Amendment, adding "the NRA is a
great organization who teaches strict gun safety with a membership of
law-abiding citizens."
"I just believe this is best for me at this time," he wrote.
***
5/24/22 - Robb Elementary School
shooting in Uvalde, Texas
