NRA condemns plans to allow alcohol at gun shows

Proposals to allow alcohol to be sold at gun shows in Texas, US, could have a “devastating impact”, a firearms body has warned.

The National Rifle Association has warned against proposals to sell alcohol at gun shows

The warning from the National Rifle Association (NRA) comes following a proposed new set of rules from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) on Monday that would permit alcohol to be served at gun shows throughout the state.

If allowed, organisers of the events would have to disable all firearms on display, forbid live ammunition and prohibit any buyers from taking possession of their weapons on site.

As the law currently stands, venues that serve alcohol are forced to suspend alcohol sales throughout the preparation and duration of any gun show.

According to Talking Points Memo, the NRA posted an alert on Monday asking its members to take action because the changes “could actually end these events as we know them”.

“The proposed rules as currently written, could have a devastating impact on Friends of NRA (FONRA) events in the Lone Star State,” it said.

In addition, it added that the new laws would mark an end to gun events being held in hotels or other venues with a TABC permit, even if they were alcohol free, and jeopardise NRA fundraising.

In May this year Louisiana lawmakers passed a new piece of legislation allowing guns to be taken into alcohol-serving restaurants.