Guns and Policy: Final Day of the NRA Convention Draws Crowds in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — This weekend has seen gun aficionados and policy specialists convene in downtown Atlanta for the National Rifle Association’s yearly gathering at the Georgia World Congress Center.

This year's event experienced several significant no-shows. Former President Donald Trump, who had attended every year since 2015, was absent from the annual NRA gathering for the first time. Additionally, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp opted out of attending as well.

The organizers mentioned scheduling issues for both key political figures.

Thousands of attendees have filled the convention hall , exploring booths from numerous vendors and attending presentations by speakers.

The conference additionally functions as a venue for discussing firearm legislation and policies.

Two pieces of legislation aimed at secure storage were unsuccessful at the Georgia State Capitol this year.

One approach would require safe storage implementation, whereas another would provide tax incentives for purchasing safe storage solutions.

Elena Parent, a Democratic member of the Georgia Senate, sponsored these bills.

There will always be firearms in our community. We should ensure that steps are taken to prevent them from remaining the leading cause of death among children," she stated. "It's truly regrettable that everyone cannot concur with this.

Chuck McGuire collaborates with American Rebel, which produces Champion Safes. Although he supports safeguarding weapons, he has reservations about making such requirements mandatory.

If someone has a firearm, they should secure it and ensure safety for themselves and others when it’s not in use," McGuire stated. "Enforcing such requirements is challenging due to our constitutional rights regarding firearms. I firmly stand behind this.

Currently, the NRA boasts over 3.5 million members across the nation. However, the organization has seen a decline of approximately 1.5 million members since reaching its highest point in 2018.

The NRA intends to come back to Atlanta for its yearly gathering in 2028.