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
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025