US city designates mighty gun body 'terror' group

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Wednesday designated National Rifle Association (NRA) a domestic terror group, accusing the powerful lobby group of "spreading hate and terror" in the U.S.

Drafted by Supervisor Catherine Stefani, the declaration was approved by an unanimous vote.

"The National Rifle Association through its advocacy has armed those individuals who would and have committed acts of terrorism," the bill read.

"All countries have violent and hateful people, but only in America do we give them ready access to assault weapons and large-capacity magazines thanks, in large part, to the National Rifle Association's influence," it added.

The action came in response to the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival last month, where three people were killed, including two children. Dozens were injured before the white shooter took his own life. Since then the U.S. has seen further deadly shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

The NRA was quick to respond to the move.

"This stunt is an effort to distract from the problems facing #SanFrancisco, such as rampant homelessness, drug abuse and petty crime, to name a few. Their wasting taxpayer dollars to declare 5M law-abiding Americans domestic terrorists, and it’s shameful," the NRA tweeted late Wednesday.

Thousands of American civilians have fallen victim to the gun violence in the U.S., making it one of the most major causes of death in the country.

The NRA and U.S. President Donald Trump have been under fire for ignoring the demands of Democrats who say gun ownership has to be banned or at least restricted.

As one of the most powerful associations and lobbies in the country, the gun body was very quick to endorse Trump in May 2016, soon after he launched his presidential campaign.

Trump on many occasions said he is "proud" to be endorsed by the NRA and vowed to defend the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that protects gun rights for the people.

The Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed".