National Rifle Association Admonishes Local "Open Carry" Group
GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - Calling them "weird," "foolish," and "attention hungry," the National Rifle Association is blasting the pro-gun group Open Carry Texas for demonstrations that resulted in guns being banned from several restaurant chains.
Now Open Carry is firing back – saying the NRA has gone 'soft."
Those who have been openly carrying rifles and shotguns in public wouldn't get far passed the door of one North Texas gun range.
The owners of Target Masters in Garland are on the side of the NRA, which has come out against those flaunting their gun rights.
Some North Texas gun owners created a firestorm of controversy when photos of men and women openly carrying long guns exploded on social media. But while carrying long guns into restaurants and retailers may be legal in Texas, the NRA opposes the action.
A statement by the National Rifle Association and the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) said in part -
"Let's not mince words, not only is it rare, it's downright weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while being prepared to defend yourself. To those who are not acquainted with the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one's cause, it can be downright scary."
Speaking of some NRA members the statement also said -
"The second example comes to us from the Lone Star State, which is second to none for its robust gun culture. We applaud Texans for that, but a small number have recently crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness."
♦♦♦ Click Here To Read The Entire NRA-ILA Statement ♦♦♦
Tom Mannewitz operates the Target Masters gun range. "In my opinion radicalism of any kind is wrong," he said.
The owners Target Masters agree with the NRA and even require their customers to holster or pack up their weapons before entering.
"If it's a gun I anticipate it being loaded," Mannewitz said plainly. "If it's in a case you can't have an accidental discharge."
On Saturday Open Carry Tarrant County held a rally outside a home repair store in the mid-cities. The group is the same one involved in a confrontation with a veteran on Memorial Day. Members of that Open Carry group say they are disappointed with the NRA's position.
A statement by Open Carry Tarrant County said group members will cut up their NRA lifetime membership cards unless the organization retracts their, "disgusting and disrespectful comments."
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