By Dave Workman | Senior Editor
Once again, President Donald is going to provide keynote remarks during the National Rifle Association’s annual Leadership Conference, which launches the group’s three-day convention scheduled for April 26-28 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
It’s the third-straight year that the president will appear at an NRA annual meeting and exhibits. This is the group’s 148th annual meeting, held at the Indiana Convention Center – Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Leadership Forum is a Friday highlight of the three-day convention. The program runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26 and always features a big lineup. Last year, both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence appeared as well as a number of our nation’s top Second Amendment leaders in government, media and the entertainment industry. Tickets are required.
“Donald Trump is the most enthusiastic supporter of the Second Amendment to occupy the Oval Office in our lifetimes. It is truly an honor to have President Trump address NRA members for the fifth consecutive year,” said Chris Cox, NRA-ILA Executive Director in a news release. “President Trump’s Supreme Court appointments ensure that the Second Amendment will be respected for generations to come. Our members are excited to hear him speak and thank him for his support for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.”
In addition to naming both Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch as associate justices on the high court, the president has also been filling lower federal court vacancies with judges who are more conservative and Second Amendment-friendly.
Even USA Today reported recently that re-shaping the courts may be one of the president’s “biggest achievements since entering the White House.” It could be Trump’s most lasting legacy and one that gun owners may appreciate even more over time.
According to USA Today, Trump has turned the Third Circuit Court more conservative with a majority of Republican nominees, and he has appointed more conservatives to the traditionally liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
The importance of good nominees to the federal courts became evident when US District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego declared California’s ban on original capacity magazines is unconstitutional. Although he granted a stay on the order pending appeal, Judge Benitez allowed magazines purchased during the week following his ruling to remain protected. He also left intact an earlier ruling injunction. (See related story on Page 1,)
Trump invariably rouses the NRA crowd and he has made no secret of his belief that gun owners played a significant role in putting him in the White House, and keeping Hillary Clinton out.
The president has already attracted about 15 potential challengers for the 2020 presidential election, so the Democrat primaries could become a political free-for-all. Particularly so since not all of the Democrat hopefuls have announced yet.
The three-day NRA event also includes the annual Members Meeting on Saturday morning April 27 and an exhibit hall with hundreds of exhibitors including gun makers, knives, shooting accessories, hunting gear and even guides and lodges. All of the big names in the firearms industry were scheduled to be there.