A mixture of satisfaction and exhaustion distinguishes the faces of visitors who leave the Dallas Congress Center (Texas), although after circulating for hours for their 15.000 square meters is difficult to guess if they come from a volleyball tournament, a Cheerleaders meeting or the annual convention of the National Rifle Association (NRA in its acronym in English), to name some of the last acts scheduled there.
"He has been phenomenal.Everyone was very nice and very lively.The girls have had a great time, ”Karla congratulates himself, while pulling the cart with his two creatures.“Too technical for me, I am more classic.But I've enjoyed John, a Massachusetts retiree.Gloria and her friends are hurried to take the Bus from the organization back to the hotel: "We loved it!".The Langford have gone as a family, with their daughter, a thirty -year -old who is loaded with bags with advertising and gifts."You had to be here," the father reaffirms.
The commitment is key to understanding what led to 80.000 people: their love for weapons, for freedom and for America, three inseparable ingredients according to the successful rhetoric of the NRA.Politically conservative, its partners are the most fanatic and intensive weapons users in the United States, according to a recent radiography of the Pew Research Center.
77% of the NRA partners declare republicans;52% have five or more weapons, and 44% carry them wherever
77% declare republicans.For 45%, having weapons is part of their identity, something that only says 22% of the rest of the owners;90% believe them "essential for your personal freedom".They are users who treasure more weapons: 52% of the members of the NRA have five or more guns, compared to 24% of the rest of the users, which mostly have a.They use them with more intensity (50% hunt "frequently", and 66% shoot them "often");They are more.
Dallas became the epicenter of the debate on arms control in May.The appointment was summoned since a year ago, and Texas, one of the states with more permissive laws, is friendly territory.But Parkland's school killing (Florida), on February 14, light an unprecedented protest movement, led by students.At its spotlight, the NRA and its enormous political influence.
This social pressure has led two Republican governors who received donations from the NRA to approve weapons control laws, modest viewed from the outside, but relevant in the American context.And first brands such as Delta Airlines, Bank of America or Metlife have terminated their agreements with the NRA, commercial advantages that made the annual fee of $ 40 more attractive that costs to join the "family of patriotes of America".The campaign, initiated by the Drain The Nra group (dry the nra), now goes for Fedex.
But if there is an environment in which the NRA grows (in partners, donations and energy) it is when it feels threatened and their leaders and militants came to Dallas with a combative spirit and desire to surround themselves with "people with the same mentality"."Your rights are under siege, but while I am your president, they will not be in danger," said Wayne Lapierre when inaugurating the convention, which Magazine agreed as a visitor since the NRA does not accredit foreign press.
“Your rights are under siege, but as long as I am president, they will not be in danger, says the NRA leader in the annual convention
The atmosphere is relaxed and festive;Remember a shopping center more than to the sinister business of the weapons industry.The public is mostly white and masculine (in the talks, many raise their hands when wondering if there are agents of the order, military or firefighters), but they also look black and Latinos.There are women.Some boring girlfriend, yes, but more groups of friends who pose excited revolver in hand (Say Cheeeese!) And many families with children.
"If you play it, you have to take it," jokes the dependent of a gun post with the pink, small and light cylinder head.For women.Actually, you can only buy ammunition and accessories.The sale of weapons is prohibited in situ.What is about seeing, caressing and trying articles without shooting (except for simulation booths).It is a constant bombardment for the senses.The stands attract the clientele with raffles of weapons, coffee aroma Black Rifle, gifts, camouflage clothing, thrilling videos that encourage "being a hero", virtual reality, patriotic flags and slogans, country music ...
The children stir bullets as if they put their hands in a drawer with lego pieces.A little girl about eight years almost loses her balance by holding a rifle longer than her.The parents laugh while the dependent helps you.It could be the next Alpha Addy, a nine -year -old sniper who triumphs on YouTube and social networks and leaves shooting fans with their aim.It is one of the stars of the Convention."It's for my granddaughter," says a man who queues to ask for an autograph."He has a lot of fond of guns.It can be an inspiration for her, ”he says.
A girl about eight years almost loses her balance by holding a rifle.It could be the next Alpha Addy, a nine -year -old sniper who triumphs on YouTube and in the convention
Attracting the young and feminine public is one of the strategies of the NRA and the weapons industry to expand its social base.Many of the stars invited to the Convention, which dedicated the last day to youth, were women.Among the novelties highlighted by the Association, a corset-lice pistolera "breathable, safe and sexy"."He has two pockets, one for the revolver and one for ammunition," explains the head of the stand.My wife is wearing it, why don't you notice?She is able to get the gun in two seconds, ”he presumes.
The outside world, seen by the NRA, is threatening: thieves, rapists, terrorists, murderers, crazy ... fear is the fuel of the NRA, and the weapons industry, its main source of financing via donations and advertising.His rhetoric feeds distrust of the ability of the forces of order to protect them and appeals to individual responsibility."The best way to stop a bad with a gun is a good one with a gun," says the NRA partners (and Donald Trump)."In Texas we do not call 911", the emergency telephone number is read in an illustrated shirt with a revolver.
“I started wearing weapons with me when I had my daughters.If you are alone in the car giving the breast, it is better to be protected, ”argues Karla, the mother of two blond girls.They do not live in an isolated ranch but in Fort Worth, a city of Texas very attached to weapons, but that, he says, “is the least.It can be dangerous anywhere.I have been in New York and there are also dangers ”.
It is the right attitude, according to the NRA."To protect yourself, your family and the innocents around you must be offensive," always alerts, says Sergeant Kyle Lamb in a seminar.Your questions resonate as shots in the room: “Are you ready to face what can happen to you outside?Are you prepared for the operations of your daily life?You are not hunting terrorists in your neighborhood yet, but one day it will happen and better start preparing, right? ”.The public nods silently."You have to train, train and train," he says.
“You are not yet hunting terrorists in your neighborhood, but one day it will happen, and better start preparing,‘ Right ’?” Says Sergeant Kyle Lamb to the public
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"Surviving attitude"."Refusing to be a victim: crime prevention strategies" ... the list of seminars is stressful."Oh, how good!" Exclaims a woman, "there is a talk about‘ arm arguments against the falsehoods that will be said against weapons in the electoral campaign ’".NRA itself justifies its capacity to influence the National Legislative Agenda: “Our strength does not come from our headquarters but from you.Your voice, your activism and your votes serve us to save freedom ”.There are many ways to support them.Even drinking alcohol: "You support us with each sip," says the advertising of the NRA Wine Club.
The Association has almost exclusively argued the defense of the second amendment of the Constitution, which authorizes Americans to carry weapons: “a well -regulated militia being necessary for the safety of a free state, the right of the people to possess and carryWeapons will not be infringed, ”says the 1791 text.Today, the word regulation is anathema in the nra, absolutist in the interpretation of the text.
"The NRA has nothing to do with the association of our grandparents," says Kim Russel, survivor of a shooting and anti -scratch activist in a small protest during the convention.The origins of the nra are, in effect, far from politics.Two northern military, alarmed by the bad aim of the soldiers in the Secession War, founded the entity in 1871 to improve their skills.In a few years, it extended through the country thanks to the shooting classes in institutes and universities, which still offers.During his first century of life it was, above all, an association of athletes and hunters.In 1968 he even supported the arms control laws approved after the murders of John F.Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
"It has become a paranoid association, obsessed with which the State will take off their weapons," says an activist contrary to the NRA
Then it changed.The gap between the most pragmatic members and those who defended the second amendment as a matter of principles was enlarged coinciding with the increase in crime and the appearance of leftist terrorist groups.In 1977, the hard wing took advantage of the annual convention to take power.After Cincinnati's revolt, the NRA went on to act as the political action group that is today.A lobby that locks or numb candidates based on their adhesion to its principles, not so much thanks to money and activism of its partners.
The former Democratic and writer Steven Israel has seen closely how it works.In the 16 years that spent in Congress there were 52 mass shootings.In the end, he stopped participating in the minutes of silence: he felt it was "a way to consent to them".After one of those tragedies, the Democrats proposed several control measures, but the Republicans knocked them down.Then, in the elevator, "one explained that I agreed with me," he says, "but that if she voted with me, she could not return to her district or face a talk with voters.They are with us in the principles, but by pure political survival they do not support us ”.
That is the story I wanted to tell in Big Guns, a political satire on the debate of weapons in the United States.The starting point is a proposal that forces all citizens of the country, except those under seven, to carry weapons.It is not an invention, if not it would not be credible.Israel was inspired by a Nelson (Oregon) initiative in response to shooting at a Connecticut school in which 20 six and seven -year -old children died.
"The media exaggerate a lot.There are very few people who use their weapons to kill, ”says an assistant to the convention
Dallas appointed areas of freedom of expression during the convention where everyone could give their opinion, also pro weapons activists whose unfortunate radicalism to the NRA.Dozens of members of associations such as Open Carry or North Texas Patriots for Liberty expressed themselves against the protests that, they intend to deprive them of their right to use weapons.Taking advantage of Texas's laws, they went with their rifles hanging around the neck and guns to the belt, perfectly visible."Come to take them", read in their flags.
At the exit of the convention, a friar man -looking man distributes information."No, I'm not protesting," says Brother Alexis Bugnol.“We are a Christian defense organization and we are here to recruit members that support our efforts so that Christians are not persecuted.In the nra there may be people willing to support our cause, ”he explains.His plan is to form private militias to defend the Christian minorities of the jihadists.
An Alzacuellos distinguishes Judy Guld as a religious.She is a minister withdrawn from the Methodist Church, she grew up in Maine and coincides with the nra in which the guns are part of the American culture.She loves: "It is similar to meditation.You are concentrated in one thing, be it God, a song or an objective.When you shoot, you are only you and your target.Gives me peace, ”he says.But this does not prevent him from detesting the nra.“The meaning of the second amendment has kidnapped and perverted.I supported them years ago when they cared about hunting and athletes, but they have become a paranoid association, obsessed with which the rsstate will take their weapons, ”Guld says with his poster with a list of school killings.
"We have to make the Republican voters and arms owners understand that the NRA is not there to protect them, which defends the manufacturers," says Laura Mannino, founder of Drain The Nra
Statistics on student shootings or firearm deaths in the United States (25 times higher than in other developed countries) have little credibility among NRA partners."Those things happen everywhere," they say."They are smaller countries," they replicate from the figures, even if they are per capita."When it happens here, it is advertised more.The media exaggerate.There are very few people who use their weapons to kill.More people dies in traffic accidents than murdered with weapons, ”replies Caroline, the mother of the Langford family, pulling the classic NRA argumentary.
In their logic, figures are an argument in favor of more weapons."The guns save lives," they say.After Parkland, the White House approved that educational personnel can bring weapons to protect students.Carolina Langford is looking forward to it at school."Most of the teachers with whom I work have a weapon license, but we cannot enter the campus," he complains.Do you look capable of reacting in a danger situation?"If I had to do it, yes, of course," he replies.
School shootings are a tiny percentage of firearms deaths, a violence that disproportionately punishes the poorest and black population.But that is when the majority of the population, whites, feel affected.The NRA and its partners are on the defensive.Animated by the charismatic Parkland students, the weapons control groups have gained strength."Weakening the influence of the NRA will be the beginning of a cultural change," says Laura Mannino, founder of Drain The Nra.
“We have to make the Republican voters and arms owners understand that the NRA is not there to protect them, who defends is the arms manufacturers.But it's hard to talk to them, they say we want to remove their guns, ”says Mannino, who trusts young people."Cultural change occurs in its generation.They are being hunted in their schools.When you grow with that fear, I think things can change.My hope is to begin to vote, ”he says from Los Angeles.
"Those boys don't know what they are talking about.They are manipulated by progressive groups and media, ”Discrepa John, a partner of the NRA.“‘ Common sense ’measures that restrict the sale of weapons?You can't give in.They will never have enough, ”says Massachusetts pensioner.He has a couple of hunting shotguns, but sees as "a matter of principles" oppose any control.“The limits always affect citizens who comply with the law, not criminals.Are we going to give up our rights to avoid something that cannot be prevented?No kidding".Shortly after the Convention, another school shooting caused ten deaths in Santa Fe (Texas)."The problem is not guns, but hearts without God," said the state's republican governor.
