“It’s hard-working patriots like you who build the country, and it’s hard-working patriots like you who will save this country. We will fight for America like no one has ever fought before. We will protect our Second Amendment,” former President Donald Trump (R) recently said to a packed arena at the NRA Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pa.
This year’s installment was the 10th anniversary of the show and featured over 1,000 exhibitors covering 650,000 square feet of exhibit hall space and featured the former president and others at the NRA Presidential Forum.
“For four incredible years, it was my honor to be the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House by far,” said Trump. “Now I stand before you with a simple promise, your Second Amendment will always be safe with me as your president. When I’m back in the Oval Office, no one will lay a finger on your firearms.”
The former President also touched upon what he accomplished while in office, including designating gun stores and manufacturers as “essential” businesses during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I said gun dealers are critical infrastructure,” said Trump.
He also turned his focus toward the future and promised to undo the anti-Second Amendment policies enacted by President Joe Biden (D). “Every single Biden attack on gun owners and manufacturers will be terminated my very first week back in office,” said Trump. “On day one we will sack the radical gun-grabber Steve Dettelbach and we’re going to replace him with an ATF director who respects the sacred right to keep and bear arms.”
As America’s 1st Freedom reported at the time of his confirmation, Steve Dettelbach is a noted proponent of gun control and he wasn’t even Biden’s first gun-control zealot nominated to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“To further deter these barbaric criminals and help you defend yourself and your family, I will ask Congress to send a bill to my desk delivering national right-to-carry reciprocity,” said Trump.
Rounding out his speech, the 45th president said, “We are a nation that has lost its way, but we are not going to allow this horror to continue.”
Trump was introduced by NRA President Charles Cotton, who noted that, “the Second Amendment, indeed the entire Constitution along with all Americans, have no greater friend than Donald Trump.”
Preceding him was NRA interim Executive Vice President & CEO Andrew Arulanandam. “Today, not only does Harrisburg host the largest outdoor show in the world, it hosts the best,” said Arulanandam, before noting what a boon to the local economy the show is. “We’ve pumped in, together, more than $700 million dollars to the local economy. Let me tell you one thing, the NRA’s not going to stop until we’ve hit a billion and then some.”
Opening the speeches was NRA Spokesman Billy McLaughin, who said, “Over one million law-abiding men and women, like you and me, patriots, law-abiding citizens, use firearms to defend themselves, their families and their communities and the anti-gun media refuses to cover it.”
McLaughlin also highlighted the stories of Raul Mendez, Robin Evans and Yossi Eilfort, patriots who understand our Second Amendment rights.
For a round-up on the Great American Outdoor Show, check out this article from Shooting Sports USA Editor in Chief John Parker, who was on the show floor.
“With all this, it’s easy to see why the NRA Great American Outdoor Show is so popular and why people come back year after year,” wrote Parker.
