Former Vice President Mike Pence received a number of loud boos during the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual conference this week. The negative reaction comes as Pence considers a possible 2024 bid for president and contrasted with a much more positive reaction to the speech of former President Donald Trump.
The former vice president received a mixed reception at the Indianapolis, Indiana conference. Pence is the former governor of the state.
The former vice president was introduced by NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre on Friday. Pence spoke prior to his former boss.
As Pence was speaking, a number of boos met him. The former vice president replied, “I love you, too.”
Pence stated that he would fight for gun rights and that he would challenge “liberal meddlers.”
The former president received plaudits from the NRA itself, which tweeted a picture of Trump in a leather jacket with both his name and the NRA insignia on it.
Trump cited the organization’s crucial 2016 endorsement and said that it was important for the organization to do so again. He said that his administration “did a great job.”
He also joked to the crowd about Pence’s welcome. He said that he hoped “you gave Pence a good warm approval” before calling the former vice president “a nice man.”
President Trump at the @NRA: "I promise you this — with me at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue no one will lay a finger on your firearms."
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) April 14, 2023
The former president cited a number of left-wing efforts to challenge the civil rights organization. He said that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) was also “waging war on the NRA.”
The former president said that if he is returned to the White House in 2025, he would “stop Joe Biden’s war on lawful gun owners” on day one.
“It’s a war, what they’re doing is crazy,” he said.
Regarding President Biden’s executive order targeting the gun industry, Trump said that he would “rip it up and throw it out.”
Other current and potential 2024 contenders are set to address the conference.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) will address the crowd with video messages.
