On the Wednesday edition of CNN’s Don Lemon Tonight, the show’s titular host allowed Democratic Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to bemoan the city’s upcoming annual NRA meeting. Lemon repeatedly asked the Mayor to explain why Texas did not cancel the NRA convention which will be held on May 27-29.
Lemon began by asking the mayor for his thoughts on “all the people, including your governor and one of your senators” attending the NRA convention so soon after the massacre. Mayor Turner gave his answers to the Texas politicians and others from across the country, asking them to each stay at home.
“You should not come,” Turner responded, continuing: “you can’t say two days ago, yesterday, that you offer prayers and condolences to these families and then three or four days later, appear at the NRA promoting the use of guns and assault weapons.”
But he pointed out that his hometown was legally obligated for the event to be held. KHOU, a local Houston television network, also has quoted Turner as saying: “we simply cannot cancel” the convention. Turner said that Turner wished that the convention could at most be delayed. He urged the NRA to delay the event. This was to ease the grief of those involved and to plan proper funerals without being reminded of the terrible tragedy that occurred just a few days earlier.
Houston lies approximately 300 miles (278) from Uvalde, where the shooting took place.
Lemon pressed the mayor to reiterate that despite his misgivings, his hands were tied: “So, you, legally, you can’t do it?” He added that he was just asking on behalf of viewers at home who might be wondering whether Turner had done enough and why the convention was not canceled. Inferring that the Mayor hadn’t searched for the “emergency loophole or extraordinary.”
After a short time, the dialogue ended. Lemon continued his conversation after Lemon gave the Democratic mayor plenty of time to clarify his position in front of the presumably anti-NRA crowd. As Turner had said to previous news sources, just because they do not agree with policies and beliefs of the organization, they can’t simply cancel the event.
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Below is the transcript. To read more, click “expand”.
CNN’s Don Lemon Tonight
05/25/2022
10:00:40PM(…)
DON LEMON : I’m now joined by Sylvester Turner (the mayor of Houston), Texas. We are grateful to you Mayor. Appreciate it.
MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER D, HOUSTON, TEXAS – Thanks Don. Thank you for hosting me tonight.
LEMON: I am aware that the NRA convention in your city this Friday cannot be cancelled. What do you think of all those people who were affected by the massacre, such as your governor or one of your senators?
TURNER You can’t say two days ago, yesterday, that you offer prayers and condolences to these families, and then three or four days later, appear at the NRA promoting the use of guns and assault weapons. With all due respect to governors, lawmakers, legislators and elected officials: You should not be coming. To the NRA: Even though they cannot cancel contracts because of their gun position, I think the NRA should. The NRA may postpone the convention by a week to let families bury their children.
LEMON: Legally, it’s impossible to do that. There is no emergency loophole, or anything extraordinary, so you can’t.
TURNER
LEMON: I get it.
TURNER — Or the positions they have without [inaudible]It is illegal.
LEMON: The mayor could not cancel the convention, I know this. To make it clear for my viewers back home, I want to clarify. Listen, mayor, according to the NRA website, advertising Donald Trump’s speech, no firearms will be permitted in the hall while Trump is present. Why? It is clear that the Secret Service does not believe guns in the hands good men will make everybody safer.
TURNER For the ex-president to be there, guns are not allowed in the convention hall. However, firearms are permissible if you attend graduations and concerts or other events. Texas’ legislature made it quite clear. The state has preempted me, local mayors and county judges from placing restrictions on guns in certain areas. We are breaking state law if we refuse to allow guns in certain places. The President or the ex-President of the United States may visit the NRA. In that venue, guns will not be allowed to ensure the safety and security of the president as well as the others who are there to adhere to their laws. This — I’m not sure what speaks more.
LEMON: I have to be honest with you. I am well aware that your city has suffered from many shootings. Within the span of a few weeks there have been numerous shootings in your area. You are asked to explain what you’re doing in Houston in order to combat this rising gun violence.
TURNER: Well, we put forth, Don, what we call One Safe – [SIGNAL CUTS OUT] — In January, basically, what it is, we are tackling it on all fronts. Not just more police. This is possible through overtime. Also, we are utilizing more technology. Our domestic abuse fight is growing by 40 percent. People in crisis are people suffering from mental and behavioral disorders, as well as people living with substance abuse or homeless. Then we place great importance on working together with community members, trustworthy messengers, and programs. Many people working as part of a larger community and with law enforcement. Don, we have seen a significant drop in homicides since February, which was when the number of deaths rose 65 to 70% over last year. We are now down to 6 per cent, according to the numbers I checked this morning. We’re also seeing a decline in violent crime across almost all categories, and we’re now below the level we were last year. So, we are investing about $52 million in our “One Safe Houston” initiative. This is an integrated approach. Don, it is trending in the right directions.
LEMON: But, we…
TURNER: This requires everyone on the deck.
LEMON: Let’s hope it keeps trending in the right directions and you can model the rest of America.
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