The National Rifle Association (NRA) is having its 2018 convention soon. Many are under the mistaken belief that firearms are not permitted during this year’s convention. According to the NRA’s FAQ page:
During the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, lawfully carried firearms will be permitted in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the Omni Dallas Hotel in accordance with Texas law. When carrying your firearm remember to follow all federal, state, and local laws.
This is pursuant to the convention center’s policies. While Texas law does not prohibit concealed firearms at convention centers (see Texas Penal Code §§ 46.03 and 46.035), the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center does have this on their attendee FAQ:
Licensed handguns (both concealed carry and open carry) are permitted on premise, as allowed by state law, unless the type of event being held at the KBHCCD falls under an exception that would prohibit a person with a license to carry a handgun at the event. Any exceptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Director and will be in accordance with state law.
And the venue can direct that any event not allow concealed firearms on the premises, per the FAQ page. And where the NRA has not allowed concealed firearms in the past, it has been due to the law (city or State) or venue request.
This year, though, the request is coming from higher up still.
The Vice President of the United States will be a speaker at the convention. As such, the United States Secret Service has assumed jurisdiction over the venue pursuant to 31 CFR § 408.1 as authorized by 18 USC § 1752. So the carry of any concealed weapon – not just firearms – is a violation of Federal law while the Secret Service is in charge.
And yet many are acting like the NRA is being hypocritical by… obeying the Secret Service (and Federal law) and requiring that all attendees do the same.
What exactly is so difficult to understand about this? And why are gun control advocates acting like obeying Federal authorities is hypocrisy? It’s basically a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. They’re called hypocrites for obeying the Secret Service, yet if they said to ignore the Secret Service, the anti-gun left would respond with, in short, “But I thought you were law-abiding gun owners!”
Since when is it hypocrisy to obey law enforcement, especially the Secret Service in their duty to protect the Vice President of the United States, even if that means not carrying a firearm? Egad!
