The National Rifle Association's annual convention began on Friday in Houston, as a number of Republican leaders, including Former President Donald Trump, are scheduled to speak and plan to "reflect on" the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas where 19 children and two teachers were killed on May 24.
Following the elementary school shooting, some Texas state leaders, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and other scheduled speakers decided to back out of the convention, according to The Associated Press.
Patrick tweeted a statement on Friday morning to announce that he would not be in attendance at the NRA convention after speaking to the group's leaders.
"After prayerful consideration and discussion with NRA officials, I have decided not to speak at the NRA breakfast this morning," Patrick said in the statement.
"While a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and an NRA member, I would not want my appearance today to bring any additional pain or grief to the families and all those suffering in Uvalde," he added. "This is a time to focus on the families, first and foremost."
Trump remained committed to speaking at the NRA convention, and posted to his Truth Social platform confirming that he'll be in attendance.
"America needs real solutions and real leadership in this moment, not politicians and partisanship," Trump said. "That's why I will keep my longtime commitment to speak in Texas at the NRA Convention and deliver an important address to America. In the meantime, we all continue to pray for the victims, their families, and for our entire nation -- we are all in this together!"
Musical artist Dan McLean, known for his 1971 hit "American Pie," chose not not to perform at the convention, saying it would have been "disrespectful and hurtful." McLean provided a statement to the Portland Press Herald in Maine to explain his decision.
"In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week," McLean said in a statement.
"I'm sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all Americans. I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation."
The NRA also posted a statement to Twitter on May 25, saying that they will "reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure."
Country music singer Larry Gatlin also decided to pull out of performing at the convention, and gave a statement that was posted on The Gatlin Brothers' Facebook page. He said that, "I'm a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd Amendment should not apply to everyone. It's that simple."
"To my fellow sad Americans," Gatlin said in the statement. "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."
Some fans were upset that Gatlin chose to not perform at the convention, and responded to them online in a video he tweeted out on Thursday. Other musical guest like Larry Stewart of Restless Heart also dropped out of the NRA convention, according to Variety.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner spoke at a news conference on Thursday night, and said that the NRA convention can still be "respectful" towards the victims and families of those lost in the Uvalde school shooting.
"I know emotions are high. It’s not going to change anything. We can be respectful," Finner said, per AP.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will be going to Uvalde on Friday instead of the NRA convention, according to The Dallas Morning News.
"The governor will be addressing the NRA through prerecorded video," spokesman Mark Miner said.
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