- The National Rifle Association is holding its annual meeting in Houston, Texas.
- Former President Donald Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are scheduled speakers.
- The meeting starts Friday, three days after at least 19 people were killed at school in Uvalde, Texas.
Just 72 hours after at least 18 children and a teacher were shot to death at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, a number of Republican lawmakers are set to address a National Rifle Association meeting in Houston, including former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The NRA has long opposed efforts to restrict access to guns. In 2011, it sued Texas in a failed effort to force the state to lower the legal age for possessing a handgun from 21 to 18.
Law enforcement said the suspected shooter killed 15 people at Robb Elementary School and used a handgun and possibly a rifle.
The NRA meeting, hosted by the group's Institute for Legislative Action – its self-described "lobbying" arm – is scheduled to begin Friday. It is open only to NRA members and runs through the weekend.
Additional scheduled speakers include Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. No Democrats will be addressing the meeting.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn had been scheduled to speak but, in a statement, a spokesperson claimed he had already withdrawn prior to the shooting due to an "unexpected change in his schedule."
In the 2020 election cycle, the NRA directly contributed more than $616,000 to federal politicians, according to OpenSecrets, a nonprofit monitoring group. Of the recipients, more than 98% were Republicans.
Earlier this year, the group endorsed Abbott's campaign for reelection.
"Governor Abbott is a tireless defender of the right to keep and bear arms," NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre said, the Houston Chronic reported.
Neither Abbott, Cruz, nor Crenshaw responded to Insider's request for comment on whether they still plan to attend the event.