NRA gives away assault rifle used in Uvalde school shooting, backs gun rights

Despite the tragic Texas school shooting which killed 21 people, America’s most powerful gun lobby shared an ad that contained a tasteless snub to the victims.

The NRA’s ‘banned guns giveaway’ featured the gun brand and model used by the Uvalde, Texas school shooter. Picture: Supplied.

After holding their annual convention in the same state where 19 children and two teachers were kill in a deadly primary school shooting, the National Rifle Association have been criticised for promoting a ‘banned guns giveaway’ that included the model used by the gunman.

On May 24, 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos stormed Robb Elementary school in the town of Uvalde in southern Texas. He was equipped with a semiautomatic assault rifle he bought just days after his 18th birthday.

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A makeshift memorial has been erected outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Picture: Chandan Khanna/AFP

The manufacturer of the gun used in the attack, Daniel Defense, have since restricted their Twitter page and made their Instagram page private. They also withdrew from appearing at the NRA convention.

However, just four days after what was the US’ deadliest school shooting since the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012, the NRA continued to promote their banned guns giveaway.

Known as America’s most powerful gun lobby, the NRA specifically featured a $3028 semiautomatic Daniel Defence DDM4 V7 Pro rifle, which was the same model used by Ramos.

The NRA’s ‘banned guns giveaway’ featured the gun brand and model used by the Uvalde, Texas school shooter. Picture: Twitter

“NRA is giving away 12 world-class guns that Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi want to ban,” the giveaway read. In addition, the ad also stated that each gun from the 12-gun raffle also came with 1000 rounds of ammunition

While the giveaway was active on May 28, the website states it’s currently “temporarily closed”. Despite this, members can still enter by mail.

The semiautomatic rifle was one of 12 guns the NRA are giving away. Picture: Twitter/NRA.

NRA doubles down on gun rights

Following the shooting, the NRA resisted public calls to move their Annual Leadership Forum outside of Houston, Texas, out of respect to the school shooting victims.

The event was billed as a “freedom-filled weekend” celebrating “the latest guns and gear”, aimed at gun enthusiasts and Second Amendment patriots. Former president, Donald Trump and Republican Senator Ted Cruz also addressed attendees.

In an interview between CNN journalist Jim Acosta and NRA board member, Judge Phillip Journey, the pro-gun Kansas state senator doubled down on his belief that the group does not contribute to gun violence in the US.

This is despite the fact the lobby group has ties with America’s multi-billion dollar firearms industries and publicly supports political candidates who advocate anti-gun control measures on a state and federal level.

“I’m not the one that pulled the trigger and neither are the members of the National Rifle Association,” said Senator Journey.

Jim Acosta just disarmed an NRA member with facts. Jim completely destroyed him. pic.twitter.com/7en8DiQeQf

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) May 29, 2022

In light of the criticism, the NRA also launched an ad in which they claim their members are just “law-abiding citizens that only want to protect their families and communities”.

The ad appears to have been filmed over the weekend and features statements from association members. They also refute claims that liken them to “domestic terrorists”.

Members featured in the video state that an NRA member has “never committed a mass shooting” and confirm that they are “proud members of the NRA”.

"An NRA member has never committed a mass shooting." pic.twitter.com/KyMErdxV58

— NRA (@NRA) May 29, 2022

Over the weekend, speeches from the Annual Convention attempted to disassociate gun ownership from the Uvalde school shooting. Speaking to members on Saturday, Mr Trump claimed gun violence was actually about mental health, “monsters” in the community and the lack of armed staff in schools.

“The fact is, there will always be sick and demonic souls who wish to harm the innocent,” he said. “But the existence of evil in our world is not a reason to stop law abiding citizens who know how to use their weapon and can protect a lot of people.

“The existence of evil is one of the very best reasons to arm law abiding citizens.”