This weekend, former President Donald Trump is set to address the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Dallas despite being barred from purchasing firearms due to his ongoing legal troubles.
Trump, who faces a total of 88 felony counts in four separate indictments, has cultivated close ties with the NRA and its largely conservative membership. His appearance on Saturday will mark the ninth time he has addressed the group at a major public gathering.
Trump’s support for gun rights has been unwavering, and he has promised to roll back reforms implemented under President Joe Biden, including revoking licenses from gun dealers who break federal laws and restricting pistol braces used in mass killings.
However, his legal issues make him an awkward spokesperson for gun rights, and he has even mused about buying a Glock pistol despite being aware that federal law prohibits him from doing so.
Firearm Ban Doesn’t Stop Trump from Headlining NRA Conference
The NRA has not commented on the decision to have Trump as a keynote speaker, but a statement from its interim executive vice president and CEO, Andrew Arulanandam, framed Trump as a target of politically motivated attacks.
According to Arulanandam, Trump is “uniquely qualified” to address NRA members who share his American values and is not afraid to fight for what he believes in. The NRA and its millions of members have Trump’s back, and he has theirs, Arulanandam wrote.
Trump is scheduled to speak at the NRA Leadership Forum on Saturday at 2 p.m., but guns will not be permitted at the event, a common practice at NRA annual gatherings.
The list of banned items includes gun parts, holsters, magazines, toy guns, knives, drones, Mace, and “weapons of any kind.” Despite the irony of a keynote speaker who cannot legally purchase firearms, Trump’s appearance is sure to draw attention and spark controversy.
