Posted on 07/16/2005 9:53:12 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Ban Could Cost City Convention
The recently-enacted assault weapons ban in the city of Columbus might wind up costing the capital city the 2007 National Rifle Association convention.
City leaders were holding their breath Friday night, wondering if one of the biggest conventions planned to hit Columbus will cancel.
The NRA announced in May that it chose Columbus over two other cities for its 2007 convention. But now the organization is planning another announcement scheduled for Monday that could change its plans.
On Friday, the NRA would neither confirm nor deny that it plans to leave Columbus. There is speculation that the city's recent vote to ban assault weapons has the group worried about the impact on exhibitors.
Many in the city of Columbus are now worried about losing out on millions of tourism dollars.
"The offer is still open. The door is still open. And we hope they do come to Columbus to have their convention. But they are not going to dictate the policy of the city of Columbus," Mayor Michael Coleman told 10TV.
Councilman Mike Mentel, who spearheaded the city’s new assault weapons ban, says the gun ownership advocacy group should have been aware of the impending legislation when it chose Columbus for its conference.
"I would find it incomprehensible that they had no knowledge of the efforts that me and my council colleagues were doing with this ban," Mentel said.
The city says the NRA knew about the ordinance before it picked Columbus. Now, the city is wondering if it will lose out on the proceeds 50,000 to 60,000 visitors could bring to local businesses and tax coffers.
"We project it could bring between $12 million and $15 million to our city in three or four days," Joseph Marinelli of “Experience Columbus” said.
A sticking point for the NRA may be the language of the city's assault ban law. It reads in part, "…no one is allowed to possess assault weapons…" which could prevent exhibitors from showing their guns. It also flies in the face of the organization’s defense of the 2nd Amendment.
Apparently neither does the US Constitution.
I'd not drive accross the State to attend if it's held in the PRD.
Because I'm trying to recruit as many Freepers into the NRA as I can. The Freepers who are already members are showing their membership by putting the initials into their tagline.
Other Freepers are already putting Second Amendment Sisters and Second Amendment Foundation into their taglines.
"could" change its plans? You can count on it!
I'll stick with being myself, thanks. I already carry my membership card and that's enough.
There's more. How about "my council colleagues and I" instead of "me and my council colleagues"?
Yeah, right.
Oh my. I've disappointed you.
I think I almost care.
Nope...just gas.
What is strange; you can drive up to Mount Lemmon and wildcat, and some did to protest. You have to recognize that unlike the Bay Area, between 90-95% of the land near Tucson is fed or state property.
The TRGC was convenient to the vast majority of east siders in Tucson and was encroached upon by home builders, one of the owners was on the editorial board of the Tucson (Red) Daily Star and called his bud in the Forest Service to close the range down on a whim because he did not like the noise. Kinda like closing down the airport because of the plane noise.
This happened on clitoons watch, our local RINO rumpranger Kolbe made multiple promises to reopen or provide public property to reopen the club. That was many years ago. Since most shooters are not poofters we dont get attention from Kolbe.
Pima county has reopened a range for profit, and a local guy has opened up a range too. Neither are set up as nicely as the old TRGC. The county charges ~$12 a day to shoot. The local guy - ~200 a year.
May just go wildcatting.
Come to Houston, NRA! The state convention there was terrific...so good that the Leftie rag, the Texas Monthly Cramps, had to admit it was awesome!
I like that idea. Thanks.
You're more than welcome. It seems like it separates the wannabes from the people who are doing something for their freedoms instead of just talking about it.
It's nice to see the initials of the gun groups no matter which one it is.
Columbus bites the bullet?
the nra probably held the carrot to prevent the passage of the legislation... since the legislators snubbed the nra, move the convention to a friendly city very close to columbus...
as a life member, i expect them to announce the moving of the convention and the reasons why...
It wouldn't bother me if they stayed. They could do a lot of work while they are there and the city council might look very different after the next election.
Councilman Mike Mentel, who spearheaded the city’s new assault weapons ban, says the gun ownership advocacy group should have been aware of the impending legislation when it chose Columbus for its conference.
Should read: "the city council should have been aware of the convention when it chose to violate civil rights"
Ok I can go with it...
The cops don't even bother to check the abandoned stolen cars without license plates for a month or so, and when they do, they helpfully keep the names of the victims political bedmates out of the reports. Then the *investigator* gets made the chief of police [in the neighboring Columbus airport community of Whitehall, OH.
Nah. No good reason for honest Americans to go there.
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