Texas school shooting: Gun owners protest gun violence on Twitter
American gun owners have condemned the National Rifle Association in a series of scathing tweets after a school shooting that saw 19 children killed.
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Thousands of gun owners across America have called for stricter gun laws on Twitter as the National Rifle Association began their annual three-day convention.
The hashtag #GunOwnersForSafety was trending on the social networking website with over 30,000 tweets from gun owners and former NRA members criticising current gun laws.
The hashtag comes after 19 children and two teachers were fatally shot by 18-year-old Salvador Ramos at Robb Elementary School on Tuesday.
Board member and founder of March for Our Lives – a student-led demonstration in support of gun control legislation – urged gun owners to prove the “NRA does not represent them” by using the hashtag.
“Tweet #GunOwnersForSafety to show that the NRA doesn’t represent you because you believe in working together as Americans to save our kids even if a small step and get others to tweet,” he tweeted.
Multiple Twitter users expressed their concerns about the ‘destructive and irresponsible’ lobbying of the NRA in America in light of the recent school massacre.
“I’m a gun owner, and a hunting guide, and a combat veteran. I also believe @NRA is one of the most irresponsible and destructive lobbies in America,” one user tweeted.
Others expressed their support for stricter background checks and verification of personal information when buying firearms.
“As a long time gun owner, former soldier, and former Deputy Sheriff, I strongly support sweeping legislation that bans military style weapons and imposes universal background checks, insurance and training requirements for gun owners,” another tweeted.
A “proud American and gun long time gun owner” also called out the NRA for misrepresenting the majority of Americans.
“The @NRA is a front for arms profiteers & does not represent me. We need sensible gun safety laws in America implemented federally now! #GunOwnersForSafety” he said.
Former Congressman Joe Walsh also came out in support of the hashtag.
“I’m a gun owner & a 2A defender and I’m hearing from more & more gun owners every day demanding that we do better making sure that someone who SHOULDN’T have a gun DOESN’T get a gun. Background checks. Red flag laws,” he tweeted.
Another gun owner said while they “took self-defence gun classes, got my concealed carry permit & own several guns” strict gun laws need to be introduced.
“That doesn’t mean I feel the need to strap a bazooka on my back to get a cup of coffee. Safe gun owners are begging for safe gun laws. #GunOwnersForSafety,” they tweeted.
The hashtag comes after the NRA began the first day of their annual meeting in Houston, Texas in the same state as – and within a few days of – the Uvalde school massacre.
Out of respect for the victims of the fatal shooting, several music performers have also withdrawn their appearance at the convention.
Notably 76-year-old folk singer Don McLean said he shared in the “sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation.”
“It would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention,” McLean told People.
Country singer Larry Stewart tweeted he would pull out of the convention to “honour the victims, families, the town and our friends in Texas the best I know how.”
Other country singers Lee Greenwood, T. Graham Brown, and Larry Gatlin also cancelled their scheduled performances.
Originally published as Texas school shooting: Gun owners protest gun violence on Twitter
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