WASHINGTON (AP) – Back for a return engagement, President Donald Trump’s address to the National Rifle Association on Friday comes after he temporarily strayed from the group’s strong opposition to tougher gun controls following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida – only to rapidly return to the fold.
For the fourth year in a row, Trump will speak to the group, which meets this year in Dallas. Last year, he became the first sitting president to appear in more than 30 years, declaring that the “assault” on the Second Amendment had ended. But this year’s speech comes as the issue of gun violence takes on new urgency after one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
Student survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead are now leading a massive national gun control movement. While the shooting has not led to major changes from the White House or the Republican-led Congress, it did – at least briefly – prompt Trump to declare that he would stand up to the powerful gun lobby. He later backpedaled on that tough talk.
Trump’s attendance at this year’s NRA convention was announced just days ago and came after Vice President Mike Pence already was scheduled to appear. Asked why Trump was attending, given the current political tensions around gun violence, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said this week that safety was a “big priority.” But, she added, “We also support the Second Amendment, and strongly support it, and don’t see there to be a problem with speaking at the National Rifle Association’s meeting.”
Trump has long enjoyed strong backing from the NRA, which spent about $30 million in support of his presidential campaign. The NRA showcased its high-profile guests for the event, with NRA Executive Director Chris Cox saying on Twitter: “We are honored to celebrate American Freedom with @realDonaldTrump, @VP Mike Pence and others. #2A #watchtheleftmeltdown”