A Nashville, Tenn., florist refuses to serve at a Republican National Committee (RNC) fundraiser featuring former President Trump in protest over the lack of action on gun control laws.
In a statement posted on Instagram this week, FLWR Shop said it declined an inquiry from the RNC to provide floral design services for a fundraising event in Nashville this weekend. The florist also shared a letter it sent to the RNC declining the potential order.
The shop said that it immediately declined the offer and hopes to encourage other Nashville businesses to refuse money from the RNC “until they begin to make the changes to gun laws that most Americans are calling for.”
In the letter, the store owners make specific reference to the recent shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which resulted in the deaths of three students and three adults.
“Our community lost seven people, including three young children, to another school shooting. At this moment I cannot ignore the work that the RNC has done to create this tragedy and so many others like it,” the letter said.
The letter continued, “The Republican Party has squandered taxpayer funds and legislative capital on banning drag shows rather than assault rifles that are being used to murder children in classrooms.”
The news comes the same weekend as the National Rifle Association (NRA) is set to hold its annual meeting in Indianapolis, where several announced and expected 2024 GOP presidential candidates — including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley — will speak in support of gun rights.
The conversation around gun reform has heightened in Tennessee since last month’s Nashville school shooting. The Tennessee House expels two state lawmakers for participating in demonstrations on the state House floor in support of gun control. Both of the lawmakers, state Reps. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and Justin Jones (D-Nashville), were reinstated to the state House shortly after expulsion. Additionally, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) announced this week that he would strengthen background checks for buying firearms in the state.
