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HOUSTON – The National Rifle Association on Tuesday canceled its 2021 Annual Meeting, which had been slated to begin Sept. 3 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

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“Due to concern over the safety of our NRA family and community, we regret to inform you that we have decided to cancel the 2021 Annual Meeting and exhibits. The cancellation applies to all events and meetings that were scheduled in Houston,” the organization said in a statement released via Twitter.

The annual three-day gun rights advocacy meeting typically welcomes tens of thousands of people from across the globe, KTVT reported.

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According to KPRC, the cancellation comes as Harris County and several other Texas counties grapple with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

“We make this difficult decision after analyzing relevant data regarding COVID-19 in Harris County, Texas,” the NRA stated, adding, “We also consulted with medical professionals, local officials, major sponsors & exhibitors, and many NRA members before arriving at this decision.”

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