Houston NRA meeting to proceed despite Uvalde shooting: 'The convention has been on the books for more than two years'

The National Rifle Association's (NRA) annual meeting in Houston will proceed as scheduled, according to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported.

The gun rights group will hold its event from Friday (May 27) to Sunday (May 29) at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Turner, a Democrat, alluded that the city is avoiding breaching a contract. 

"The convention has been on the books for more than two years," the mayor said, per KHOU. "It's a contractual arrangement. We simply cannot cancel a conference or convention because we do not agree with the subject matter."

More than a dozen students and two teachers at Uvalde's Robb Elementary School lost their lives in a mass shooting on Tuesday (May 24) that took place as Texans were casting their ballots in the party primaries, Houston Daily reported.

The alleged shooter, an 18-year-old Uvalde resident named Salvador Ramos, also died, fatally shot by police who responded to the scene.

According to KHOU, former President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Gov. Greg Abbott are expected to speak at the event.

The station reported that an unexpected scheduling change prompted U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to withdraw from the meeting.

Texas Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Beto O'Rourke, who made headlines the day after the shooting by confronting Abbott at the latter's press conference in Uvalde, had called for the convention's cancellation, per KHOU.

According to the station, the NRA expressed its "deepest sympathies" for those directly affected by what the nonprofit organization called a "horrific and evil crime."

"As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure," the NRA said in a statement, KHOU reported.