National Rifle Association shoots down convention city

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is relocating its 2007 annual meeting from Columbus, Ohio, in protest of a new ban on the sale and ownership of assault weapons passed by the city council.

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA, said: “When freedom comes back to Columbus, we will come back to Columbus.”

Joe Marinelli, senior vice president of Experience Columbus, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, said the NRA was aware of the legislation being considered by the city council prior to choosing Columbus this past May. He said: “Our organization really conducted this whole process with a spirit of full disclosure.”

The ban, passed earlier this month, outlaws the sale or possession of semiautomatic rifles with pistol grips and detachable magazines.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said the NRA and other groups will not dictate city policy and that the ban will make Columbus safer.

The wording of the enacted legislation would prohibit up to 25% of the NRA’s exhibitors from attending the convention, Mr Marinelli estimated.

The gun organization had planned to hold its annual three-day event, expected to draw as many as 60,000 people, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The convention was expected to generate $15 million to $20 million for local businesses, but other groups have shown interest, said Paul Astleford, president of the city’s convention and visitors bureau.

The NRA would return if lawmakers pass a measure overriding the new ban, NRA officials said. The group also considered Portland, Oregon, and Reno, Nevada, for the 2007 event.

Report by David Wilkening