RESOLUTION NO. RS2015-1438

A resolution recognizing the National Rifle Association 2015 Annual Meetings and Exhibits to be held April 10-12, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee.

WHEREAS, the City of Nashville is hosting the 144th National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits April 10-12, 2015, and we welcome this freedom-loving group and its more than 5 million members to our city; and

WHEREAS, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is the foremost supporter of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Association has a strong tradition of promoting shooting sports among America’s youth, starting back in 1903 with the establishment of youth rifle clubs at a number of institutions and military academies; and

WHEREAS, today’s youth programs are still a cornerstone of the NRA, with over one million youth participating in affiliated programs with groups such as the 4-H Club, Boy Scouts of America, The American Legion, U.S. Jaycees and others. Young men and women learn many skills with an emphasis on firearms safety and responsible ownership; and

WHEREAS, in early 1956, the NRA established a law enforcement instructor training program which has trained more than 55,000 law enforcement officials in America, including Nashville law enforcement officials, and continues to teach officers how to be safe, effective, and timely in the use of their firearms and tactics; and

WHEREAS, the Association also supports a cadre of civilian training personnel which boast in excess of 50,000 certified instructors who train approximately 750,000 gun owners annually. Through these various programs and with the support of its members, the Association always promotes the safe and responsible ownership and use of firearms throughout our nation and beyond; and

WHEREAS, the NRA Foundation within the past year has supported Nashville youth organizations such as the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America, Cane Ridge High School JROTC, Montgomery Bell Academy Rifle Team, and others with more than $23,000 in donations; and

WHEREAS, Nashville is hosting the 2015 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits conference in our new Music City Center and it will be one of the largest conferences to ever utilize the Music City Center, bringing more than 70,000 guests and 550 vendors; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan County Council welcome the National Rifle Association to Nashville for its 2015 Annual Meetings and Exhibits, and we look forward to welcoming supporters of the 2nd Amendment to stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, dance in our honky-tonks, and enjoy true southern hospitality at its finest.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the 144th National Rifle Association 2015 Annual Meetings and Exhibits to be held in Nashville, Tennessee April 10-12, 2015, and welcoming its members to Music City.

Section 2. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Josh Stites

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	April 7, 2015
Adopted:	April 7, 2015
Approved:	April 8, 2015
By: