Lee Greenwood, Larry Gatlin, Don McLean, & More Back Out Of The NRA Convention Following The Uvalde, Texas School Shooting

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In the wake of the heartbreaking tragedy that happened Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 students and two teachers were murdered at the hands of an 18-year-old school shooter at Robb Elementary, a number of country stars are pulling out of the upcoming NRA Convention.

Lee Greenwood told FOX News this morning that playing at the NRA Convention would be an “endorsement,” and believes it’s not good timing considering everything that happened in Uvalde.

On top of that, Don McLean, Larry Gatlin, and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, all backed out of this weekend’s convention, citing similar reasons.

Greenwood said that he and other artists had already signed a deal to play the convention, which was canceled back in 2020 and 2021, but believes now is not the time to be playing a show there:

“The unfortunate shooting in Texas took place at a very bad time. And for me to go and play at the NRA just days after the shooting would be an endorsement.

And people would then deem that as, I like this weapon. And obviously, that weapon killed kids. And I just couldn’t go.”

He told FOX News Digital:

“During this Memorial Day Weekend, we should also remember the servicemen and women, and first responders who’ve given their lives to protect our great country.”

Larry Stewart also stated his reason for pulling out of the convention:

“So I have made the decision to pull out as a performer for the NRA convention this weekend, especially given the event is just down the road.

I’m a strong believer in the Second Amendment, and I know the NRA is a great organization who teaches strict gun safety with a membership of law-abiding citizens who love our country.

I just believe this is best for me at this time. God bless everyone involved!”

Larry Gatlin told CNN that he chose to step back not in protest, but because the timing was poor in the wake of what happened in Uvalde:

“I did not cancel in it in protest against the NRA… I canceled it because I didn’t think it was a good time to go down to Houston and have party with them digging 21 fresh graves in the valley of my precious, beloved Texas.

It would’ve been a classy move on the NRA’s part, and they need some good PR right now, to cancel the whole thing.”

Larry Gatlin’s full statement:

“To my fellow sad Americans,

I cannot, in good conscience, perform at the NRA convention in Houston this weekend. While I agree with most of the positions held by the NRA, I have come to believe that, while background checks would not stop every madman with a gun, it is at the very least a step in the right direction toward trying to prevent the kind of tragedy we saw this week in Uvalde— in my beloved, weeping TEXAS.

It is not a perfect world and the ‘if only crowd’s’ policies will never make it one. I am a ‘what if guy’ and I can’t help but ask the question, ‘What if the teachers had been proficient in the use of firearms and had, in fact been armed this week? My answer is that there would not be 21 freshly dug graves for 21 of GOD’s precious children.

My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA.

I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that simple.
GOD HELP US PLEASE.”

He clarified his statement in a Twitter video:

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