Woodfin: Trump’s Praise of NRA ‘Sickening’ Amidst Birmingham’s Gun Violence
A Tough Week for the City
Birmingham, Alabama reels from a week of shocking gun violence incidents. As the city struggles to come to terms with the traumatic events, Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke out against former President Donald Trump’s recent praising of the National Rifle Association (NRA), calling it “sickening” during an interview on Sunday.
Mayor Woodfin’s Take On Gun Violence
Woodfin, who appeared on MSNBC’s Politics Nation hosted by The Rev. Al Sharpton, found himself discussing more than just his attendence at the Morehouse College graduation ceremony, where current President Joe Biden delivered the commencement speech. The topic quickly diverted to the gun violence plaguing Birmingham.
Sharpton asked Woodfin about the potential consequences southern cities like Birmingham could face if Biden wasn’t re-elected. Woodfin highlighted the risk of losing advances in healthcare costs, such as fighting against big pharma and capping insulin costs, and the regression of laws pertaining to marijuana, a factor that has negatively impacted families.
Trump’s Praise of the NRA Amidst Violence
The discussion then veered towards the events of the previous Saturday night in Texas when Trump claimed he had done more for Black people than Abraham Lincoln while receiving an endorsement from the NRA. This came right after Birmingham was rocked by gun violence, including a Wednesday press conference held by Woodfin in reaction to multiple shootings that resulted in the death of a 62-year-old ALS patient and injuring two children aged 11 and 9.
When asked about his thoughts on Trump’s praise of the NRA, Woodfin expressed his disgust, “It’s sickening. I think as a country related to gun violence, not just in urban cores but mass shootings as well … We’re the only country where this is an issue. You would think as the nation of the free world we would have solved this issue by now.”
Taking on the NRA
However, he went on to emphasize that the responsibility for tackling the crisis also rests with members of Congress, “But it takes more than the President of the United States. We need men in women in Congress, in both houses, to have the fortitude to take on the NRA, to simply say ‘at what cost?’”
Woodfin shared the painful toll that gun violence has taken on families, including his own. He insists that there is a better way to handle the issue but that it requires dedication and courage from elected officials. Protecting lives, especially those most vulnerable – children and seniors – should be a priority.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
