NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits <br> Clear for Columbus, Ohio 2007

            (FAIRFAX, VA) – The National Rifle Association (NRA) is pleased to announce Columbus, Ohio, as the host city for its 136^th Annual Meeting & Exhibits on May 18-20, 2007.  The Greater Columbus Convention Center, located in the center of the city, will be home for the 3-day event.

“The NRA is looking forward to coming to Columbus in 2007,” Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President stated.  “I would like to thank Governor Taft and the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau for inviting our Association and members to celebrate freedom and our Second Amendment in their great city.” 

Ohio Governor Bob Taft stated, “I am pleased that the NRA chose one of Ohio`s great cities for its annual meeting in 2007.  We welcome the thousands of NRA members and guests who will enjoy Columbus and help support our local economy."

In the heart of the city, the 1.7 million-square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center offers 425,000 square feet of exhibit space for vendors and manufacturers.  Columbus is the 15th largest city in America and is located within 550 miles of more than half of the U.S. population.  In addition, downtown Columbus is just 10 minutes from Port Columbus International Airport.  

Mr. LaPierre concluded, “Columbus is an easily accessible city with excellent facilities and accommodations.   We expect the 2007 Meeting & Exhibits to be one of our biggest and best.  With the high concentration of NRA members, hunters and shooters in Ohio and in the surrounding states, we anticipate large numbers in Columbus.  It has the potential to surpass this year’s meeting in Houston, Texas, where we had one of our best conventions ever with 60,000 members and a record number of exhibitors.”

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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen`s group.  Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime.  The Association remains the nation`s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.