NRA Punishes Columbus OH for Assault Weapon Ban

NRA Will Move Convention
July 18, 2005, 12:30 PM

Reported by Tino Ramos

It's a question of principle over profit, but it's going to cost the city of Columbus millions of dollars.

One of Columbus' biggest upcoming conventions is pulling its business out of the city. The National Rifle Association will no longer hold its May 2007 convention here.

The decision all came down to a new law in the capital city.

Two months ago, the NRA announced it would bring its convention to Columbus and bring in what they claim is 60,000 people and pumping in some $20 million into the community. Monday morning, they had harsh words for city council blaming them for the pullout, based on the recently passed law banning assault weapons.