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.
Hey Columbus... you chose now the NRA will..OK.
Sounds like these liberals shot themselves in the foot on this one.
Go Get 'em NRA!!!
The leftists think there are never any consequences.
This shouldn't even be an issue. The cancellation letter should already be in the mail.
And I find it incomprehensible that the honorable councilman would be surprised if the NRA were to go elsewhere.
We have a brand new convention center, the highest unemployment rate in the 50 states because our idiot Gov (Granholm-DDDDDuh), and would love the financial benefit it would bring to our city.
Well, after the NRA pulls out, they can fill the gap by inviting The National Organization for Wookies. Of course, one look at NOW members and the entire male population of Columbus will suffer traumatic testicular atrophy, which, in turn, will severely cut obstetric revenue at area hospitals nine months down the line...
I'm not sure why the NRA would have its convention in a place where guns aren't welcome.
Agreed. As a Life Member (and Columbus native), the organization will be hearing from me if it does not economically punish the city for this foolish policy.
"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.
Personally, I find it incomprehensible that an elected official would make a grammatical error that a second-grader would know better than to make. Councilman Mentel, would you say, "Me am working on this ban?"
If the NRA doesn't bail on Columbus, that outfit has seen the last of my membership fees and annual donations. I won't support a gun rights organization that turns the other cheek for gun-grabbers.
Victimology. It’s the NRA’s fault since they knew about the ban.
I can’t believe this.
And if they do pull out of Columbus, you're going to become a life member, right?
If you're a member of the NRA, please put the initials in your tagline. Thanks.
I am sure the NRA gave them ample time to consider their lawmaking. And are giving them time to consider their lawmaking.
Now an "Oh Sh*t,the NRA convention makes us money!".
Move NRA, Move.
Grammar? Grammar? Mentel don't have to show you no stinkin' grammar!
Attaway, city leaders. Stand by your guns and keep holding your breath.
The only thing I'm a life member of is life itself. Everything else is subject to renegotiation based upon the other party's conduct.
If you're a member of the NRA, please put the initials in your tagline. Thanks.
Uh...why?
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