NRA criticized for hosting event where guns are banned due to Pence appearance

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is facing criticism for hosting an event where firearms will be banned due to the appearance of Vice President Pence.

Due to Pence appearing at the event, the Secret Service said firearms and other weapons would not be allowed at the event.

The gun ban is facing criticism by both gun control advocates and gun rights supporters for the hypocrisy of stating that guns increase safety while at the same time banning guns for safety precautions.

{mosads}

The NRA states on its website that the Secret Service will handle security for the event where Pence will appear, and its policy does not permit weapons near the vice president.

That means that at the NRA’s annual convention in Dallas this week will not allow objects like gun accessories, knives, selfie sticks and lasers.

The NRA notes that, while firearms won’t be allowed at the event with Pence, firearms will be allowed at the convention center.

However, that has not stopped people from criticizing the NRA.

Parkland, Fla., shooting survivor Cameron Kasky called out the NRA on Twitter for banning guns at the event.

The NRA has evolved into such a hilarious parody of itself. pic.twitter.com/6Pw6NTQAe6

— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) April 28, 2018

Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) also took to Twitter to bring attention to the gun ban at the event.

What about the good guys with the guns? https://t.co/diZk9f46iU

— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) April 30, 2018

Another Parkland student, Matt Deitsch, questioned why guns must be kept away from the vice president for his safety when the same doesn’t apply to children, according to USA Today.

“It sounds like the NRA wants to protect people who help them sell guns, not kids,” Deitsch said.

An earlier report from the Associated Press that the NRA had itself banned the weapons had drawn quick accusations of hypocrisy against the group. The AP later corrected its original report.

Updated at 3:58 p.m. to clarify that the Secret Service is banning the weapons.