Just days after Donald Trump was shot at with an AR-15 in Pennsylvania, visitors to his 2024 nominating convention can enter to win a free, yes, AR-15. The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is a sprawling affair. Its fenced security zone encompasses not only Fiserv Forum, home to the NBA’s Bucks and the main convention stage, but several blocks passing pubs and a designated “media row” down to the Baird expo center.
An outdoor space here has been designated as “ConventionFest,” where delegates can grab a beer and cheese curds; visit vendor booths; check out a four piece polka band; or enter to win a Daniel Defense assault rifle. The giveaway is sponsored by an RNC vendor called the U.S.
Concealed Carry Association. The gun group, founded in 2003, is based in Wisconsin and claims a membership of 800,000. USCCA pitches itself as a concealed carry advocacy group, encouraging self-defense with firearms.
The gun violence publication The Trace has highlighted USCCA as one of many groups “ scrambling to fill the NRA’s void ,” with that beleaguered gun rights group raising less money than in years past. USCCA’s membership pitch is based around obtaining insurance, through the group, meant for anyone who might use a gun to kill in self defense. A membership brochure handed out at the booth highlights the case of “Brian” who was “forced to shoot” an intruder but soon found himself “charged with murder” — and how USCCA membership and insurance s.
