A series of recent shootings in the United States have sparked calls for tighter gun control, and Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, flocked to an event held by a gun rights advocacy group on Jan. 14.

They cheered the Joe Biden administration's move to tighten gun control and shouted in unison the Second Amendment, which enshrines gun ownership.

The love call race for conservatives who advocate gun rights has also heated up.

According to CNN and other local media, the National Rifle Association (NRA) held its annual general meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States this afternoon.

The NRA is an interest group representing gun manufacturers and a powerful conservative lobby group for gun liberalization.

The event took place three days after a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, opened fire on a former employee in a grudge over his dismissal, killing five people and injuring at least nine.

Earlier, on Jan. 2, six people, including three elementary school students, were killed in a mass shooting at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee.

Former President Trump described himself as "the best pro-gun and the best supporter of the Second Amendment" of any U.S. president in history, and vowed to be a "fearless warrior" for the right of Americans to own guns.

He vowed to end Biden's "war" against legal gun owners if he won the next presidential election.

Trump called the shooting "not a gun issue, but a mental health and social, cultural, and mental issue" and called Democrats "a left-wing crusade to weaponize government against law-abiding citizens."

Former Vice President Mike Pence also criticized President Biden and the Democrats for responding to recent shootings with "vain delusions about gun confiscation" and urging them to "stop trampling on God-given rights every time tragedy happens."

In a video message, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis brought to the fore that the state has refused to implement gun control, even if it's unpopular.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley also said in a video message, "Please know that you are always on my side against the forces that seek to usurp our constitutional rights."

At the event, NRA Chief Executive Officer Wayne LaPieyre said without commenting on the recent shootings, "Gun-hating politicians should be horrified of what our association and millions of its members can do for their political careers."

Earlier, President Biden urged Republicans to take a strong stance in tightening gun control, saying, "How many more Americans need to die" in reference to a series of recent shootings.

(Photo = Getty Images Korea)