Trump to address NRA convention in Dallas

Former President Trump is set to address the National Rifle Association (NRA) this weekend in Dallas. 

This will be the ninth time the presumptive GOP nominee will address the gun rights group’s members, according to the NRA. He is scheduled to speak on Saturday at 2 p.m. at its Leadership Forum. 

Trump’s appearance at the event comes as NRA’s leadership has gone through a tumultuous period.

The group’s head, Wayne LaPierre, stepped down in January before he and other officials were set to face a civil lawsuit. LaPierre was ordered by a Manhattan jury to pay more than $4 million for mismanaging charitable funds in February. 

“President Trump is under relentless attacks because he is not afraid to fight for those who share his American values,” said NRA Interim Executive Vice President Andrew Arulanandam in a statement. 

“He is uniquely qualified to address our members who know what it’s like to stand for something, even when it’s hard. The NRA and our millions of members around the country have President Trump’s back, and we know he has ours,” he said. 

The Saturday event, which will be hosted at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, is open only to NRA members, but those interested can sign up for annual or lifetime membership. 

Trump vowed he would offer stronger Second Amendment protections if elected in November.

“I promise you this, with me at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, no one will lay a finger on your firearms — just as took place for four years when I was your president,” Trump said during an NRA event in Harrisburg, Pa. in February. 

“I will uphold those glorious words, ‘shall not be infringed.’” 

The event will also feature another prominent GOP politician, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R).