The National Rifle Association (NRA) has called for an end to gun-free zones in light of the recent Jacksonville, Florida, shooting.
“A horrible tragedy. End gun-free zones or have the security in place to keep people safe in them,” NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch tweeted the same day as David Katz was suspected of killing two people and himself at the Jackson Landing entertainment complex.
Ms Loesch, a high-profile spokesperson for the gun industry and users’ lobbying organisation, also tweeted a link to the Jackson Landing policy regarding carrying a firearm, which stated: “Possession of a weapon, even if legally carried (except by law enforcement officers) is absolutely prohibited on Landing property.” She appeared to suggest that if others had been allowed to carry a gun on the property, the number of casualties and injured could have been less.
In addition to the fatalities, nine people were injured after the suspect opened fire at the GLHF Bar, inside the Chicago Pizza restaurant.
The victims were playing in a tournament of American football video game, Madden NFL 19.
The suspect died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police.
The NRA has been increasingly calling for an end to gun-free zones, particularly since the Parkland, Florida, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during which 17 teachers and students were killed by suspected gunman Nikolas Cruz in February 2018.
The premise seems to be that having “good guys with guns” around will minimise mass shooting tragedies. However, the security guard at the high school had a firearm and chose not to use it at the time.
The powerful lobbying and membership group has continuously argued schools and similar targets should be “hardened” in a preventative effort.
The group also supported the proposal to arm teachers with weapons in the classroom, also put forth as a possibility by Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
Several teacher unions and education advocacy groups have railed against the proposal as a move that not only makes schools more dangerous but is a waste of taxpayer money that could be used for textbooks, technology, school supplies, and higher salaries.
In an ironic move, the Secret Service declared Mr Trump’s speech to the NRA at its annual convention in May a “gun-free zone”.
