Trump, other 2024 hopefuls seek NRA’s blessing amid spate of shootings

On Friday, Republican presidential candidates including Donald Trump attend the NRA meeting in Indianapolis, demonstrating the gun lobby’s enduring political power despite the recent deadly killings.

The National Rifle Association’s conference coincides with a crucial point in the Republican presidential race. Several candidates, including Trump’s closest competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are considering entering the 2024 race to fight the former president.

On Friday, Trump, whom the NRA enthusiastically supported in 2016, will address gun enthusiasts.

Mike Pence, another presidential candidate, will also appear on Friday. DeSantis, Haley, and Scott will send video messages.

Despite corruption allegations, legal issues, and media reports of falling membership, Republican prospects still attend the NRA event.

The NRA is the gun lobby’s patriarch. Richard Feldman, a member and former NRA lobbyist, said the NRA-endorsed Republican primary candidate is crucial.

Feldman expected the NRA to back Trump because its most vocal members—white, rural, and male—support him.

Trump supported gun rights but infuriated activists in 2018 by banning the high-power gun attachments used in the 2017 Las Vegas attack that killed hundreds.

Trump’s campaign website promises to “always defend your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms,” but offers no specifics.

Even if the NRA endorses Trump, it may not provide the same financial assistance as in past elections due to a significant litigation in New York and dwindling revenue, according to some reports.

According to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan research organization that tracks U.S. advocacy dollars, the NRA spent $54.4 million in the 2016 election, including $31.2 million for Trump’s campaign, but $29.1 million in 2020, mostly for Trump.

Massive shootings
The 149 mass shootings since January have also put pressure on the gun rights lobby.

Two mass shootings at Nashville schools and Louisville banks killed 11 people in three weeks. Both shooters lawfully bought their guns.

“Republican primary hopefuls are descending on Indianapolis to pander to the NRA’s extreme leaders for support that will be poison in a general election,” said Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts.

The NRA declined comment.

In future months, DeSantis will undoubtedly praise Florida’s new concealed carry law.

After the Washington Post reported in February that he wanted weapons barred from his victory celebration in Tampa last year, irking gun rights supporters, he will certainly try to improve his gun credentials.

However, some ardent NRA members believe neither Trump nor DeSantis are devoted enough.

New Hampshire firearms instructor and NRA member Alan Rice, who will attend the conference, voted for Trump in 2016 but not 2020 and accuses the men of lip service to gun rights.

DeSantis is a fraud. New Yorker Trump. “Single-issue voter” Rice believes New Yorkers are raised to dislike weapons.