Parkland students call out NRA’s ban on guns at Pence speech

The National Rifle Association has championed the idea of a “good guy with a gun,” but no firearms will be allowed when Vice President Mike Pence speaks at its annual meeting — sparking criticism from Parkland students, who say schools should be afforded the same protection.

Pence is scheduled to speak May 4 at the annual NRA gathering in Dallas, and, to be sure, many attendees will be packing guns, knives and other weapons for the event — which includes “more than 20 acres” of firearms exhibits expected to draw 80,000 members.

But the NRA said the U.S. Secret Service will coordinate security for the Pence speech and will not allow weapons in the arena while he is present. A detailed list of prohibited items includes ammunition, drones, gun parts, firearm magazines, and even signs and glass containers.

With the exception of the Pence event, lawfully carried firearms will be permitted at the convention center and the host hotel, the NRA said, advising members to comply with federal, state and local laws.

The NRA is complying with laws that prohibit firearms from being brought into areas where Secret Service protectees visit, agency spokesman Shawn Holtzclaw told the Washington Post in a statement Sunday. That includes events in open-carry states such as Texas, he said.

The NRA, bolstered by President Donald Trump, has been a vocal proponent of allowing more guns in public places, including schools, but the exception for the convention has raised eyebrows and prompted skepticism among students and at least one parent who lost his child in the Feb. 14 shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 people were killed.

“On so many levels, this is enlightening. According to the NRA, we should want everyone to have weapons when we are in public,” Fred Guttenberg, father of slain Parkland student Jaime Guttenberg, said Sunday on Twitter. “But when they put on a convention, the weapons are a concern? I thought giving everyone a gun was to enhance safety. Am I missing something?”

Matt Deitsch, who graduated from the Parkland school in 2016 and is the chief strategist for the March for Our Lives protest, expressed similar skepticism.

“You’re telling me to make the VP safe there aren’t any weapons around but when it comes to children they want guns everywhere? Can someone explain this to me?” Deitsch said Saturday on Twitter. “Because it sounds like the NRA wants to protect people who help them sell guns, not kids.”

Parkland student Cameron Kasky simply said Saturday on Twitter: “The NRA has evolved into such a hilarious parody of itself.” David Hogg, a Parkland student, circulated a petition on Sunday calling on Pence to cancel his NRA appearance.