Former President Donald J. Trump, accepting the endorsement of the National Rifle Association on Saturday, portrayed himself as a strong advocate for gun owners and gun businesses, arguing that the right to bear arms was “under siege” under President Biden.
“If the Biden regime gets four more years, they are coming for your guns,” Mr. Trump declared in Dallas, where he headlined the N.R.A.’s annual meeting.
Mr. Trump spoke to the group while facing criminal charges in Manhattan related to falsifying business records linked to a hush-money payment to a porn star. Onstage in Dallas, he claimed to understand firsthand what it feels like to have rights stripped away.
“In my second term, we will undo every Biden assault on the Second Amendment,” he proclaimed to enthusiastic applause.
The annual gun rights gathering seemed more subdued compared to the last time Mr. Trump attended in 2022, in Houston, shortly after a tragic mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Governor Greg Abbott and Senator John Cornyn did not attend that year’s convention, citing other obligations. Several musical performers withdrew from the event as a sign of respect for the victims and their families.
The N.R.A., once a powerful political force, has faced challenges in recent years, including membership declines and internal turmoil. In February, a Manhattan jury found its leaders guilty of financial misconduct and corruption.
Speakers at the event pushed back against claims of the organization’s decline. “No matter what you’ve heard, we are strong,” stated Andrew Arulanandam, the group’s interim CEO.
Mr. Abbott, who drew criticism for pardoning a man convicted of shooting a protester, received a standing ovation when he spoke at the convention. He used his platform to criticize President Biden’s policies, which he argued have led to various issues including gun control and riots.
“Donald Trump is the solution to Joe Biden,” Mr. Abbott declared, urging N.R.A. members to support the former president’s reelection efforts. “No president has fought harder to defend your Second Amendment rights.”
Earlier in the day, outside Dallas City Hall, a group rallied for stricter gun laws. Gun safety advocates displayed T-shirts with the names of gun violence victims in Dallas County and called for enhanced background checks, citing public support for such measures.
Ana-Maria Ramos, a Texas state representative, spoke out against lawmakers blocking gun safety legislation, emphasizing the importance of addressing public safety concerns.
Jill Brown, a retired school nurse, expressed concerns about the psychological impact of mass shootings and active shooter drills on students.
According to reports, there were 42 mass shootings resulting in 217 deaths in the United States last year, including a tragic incident at the Allen Premium Outlets near Dallas.
During the N.R.A. meeting, Mr. Trump urged gun owners to vote for him and warned against supporting independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he labeled as “radical left.”
Mr. Trump promised to reverse Biden administration policies on firearms, vowing to protect gun owners’ rights.
“It’s disgraceful what’s happening, but with me in the White House, the radical gun control advocates will face a powerful resistance,” he asserted.
While Mr. Trump has touted himself as a strong supporter of gun rights, his record on the issue has been inconsistent. As president, he initially expressed support for stricter gun laws and implemented a ban on bump stocks following a mass shooting in Las Vegas. However, he later backtracked on his stance on background checks.
Vice President Kamala Harris responded to Mr. Trump’s remarks at the N.R.A. convention by highlighting the Biden administration’s efforts to promote gun safety legislation, including measures to limit access to firearms and invest in mental health services.
She criticized Mr. Trump’s response to a recent shooting in Iowa and accused him of aligning with the gun lobby at the expense of addressing the crisis.
