The US gun-rights lobbying organization, National Rifle Association (NRA) took to Twitter to announce the cancellation of its annual meeting in Houston, Texas.
And many people couldn’t contain their happiness.
The NRA, which has fought for increased gun rights despite seemingly endless gun massacres in the US, said the September gathering was canceled “due to concern for the safety of our NRA family and community” as the coronavirus spreads across the country, particularly in Texas, which was hosting the event.
“Due to concern over the safety of our NRA family and Community, we regret to inform you that we have decided to cancel the 2021 annual meeting and Exhibits,” the tweet began.
The NRA also noted that it was a “difficult decision,” but after consulting with “medical professionals, local officials, major sponsors, and exhibitors” as well as members of the organisation, the top priority is the health and wellbeing” of everyone involved.
🚨Important Announcement: NRA Annual Meeting Cancellation Full statement here➡️https://t.co/SGwUBj4wgG https://t.co/fIdx1BZNhW— NRA (@NRA) 1629833782
People that were pleasantly surprised by the announcement didn’t shy away from mentioning that the group has finally realised that Covid-19 isn’t a “hoax” by the Democratic party.
“Breaking: NRA decides Covid isn’t a Dem hoax,” wrote Game Theory Today Podcast, Eric Garland.
“I thought money and a good guy with a gun solved everything??!!” someone else joked.
A third called out Texas Governor Greg Abbott who discouraged masks and vaccines despite testing positive for the virus last week. Now, Abbott said that he tested negative for Covid-19, four days after the positive result, according to AP.
“If only @GovAbbott had mandated masks and encouraged vaccines, maybe they wouldn’t have had to cancel the gun nut convention in Houston,” they said.
Abbott posted a video on his Twitter about vaccinations and said: “So I encourage others who have not yet received the vaccination to consider getting one.”
Check out some other responses to the canceled meeting.
Thoughts and prayers https://t.co/hUSVxFrIeS— Meidas_Gi 🛹🗳Ⓜ️Ⓜ️😷 (@Meidas_Gi 🛹🗳Ⓜ️Ⓜ️😷) 1629838568
This entire letter from the @NRA is bullsh-t. They do not care about safety of others and never did, as evidenced… https://t.co/tXuwYMRMhL— Fred Guttenberg (@Fred Guttenberg) 1629839176
Invest in mRNA not the NRA. https://t.co/5o1aqCZhSm— Jewish Space Laser (@Jewish Space Laser) 1629841761
Wait... is Abbott gonna sue? I.Can't.Stop.Laughing https://t.co/r2eoRa0JNk— MakeAmericaNorwegianAgain (@MakeAmericaNorwegianAgain) 1629848865
The NRA has canceled its 150th Annual Meeting. Excuse — #COVID19 Truth — Gun Manufacturers pulling out of the ev… https://t.co/g9HGcwVPAT— Joseph Sakran (@Joseph Sakran) 1629851456
the NRA cares more about the safety of Texans than the governor of Texas himself, which means the bar is officially… https://t.co/MOuo1diMy1— ❄Snow (2022 edition)❄ (@❄Snow (2022 edition)❄) 1629839889
Despite the NRA deciding to cancel the event, the decision to pull out goes deeper than keeping everyone safe.
In a report from the Daily Beast, the NRA allegedly decided to cancel after gun manufacturers backed out of the event. They also discreetly asked the NRA to cancel the festivities.
The gun positive group is also facing legal, financial and leadership problems.