HOUSTON – Members of the National Rifle Association were assured that they would never have to surrender their firearms. Along with this statement they were told that the fight against government gun control is far from over, as they have yet to win in the coming battles in Congress and in next year’s midterm elections.

Even amidst their defeat in last month’s rejection of the expanded background check bill for gun sales, gun control advocates still assert their dedication in continuing the struggle for better gun laws. The bill for expanded background checks which was strongly supported by President Barack Obama was initiated due to increased number of mass shooting, like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary which the death of 20 children and 6 teachers. It failed to pass the senate.

During a fiery and defiant speech Saturday, Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, the public face of the NRA, said the “political and media elites” have tried to use Sandy Hook and other recent shootings “to blame us, to shame us, to compromise our freedom for their agenda.” He said the proposed bill “got the defeat that it deserved” and that the measure would do nothing to prevent the next mass shooting.

“We will never surrender our guns, never,” LaPierre told several thousand people during the organization’s annual member meeting, which is part of the yearly NRA convention being held this weekend in Houston. More than 70,000 NRA members are expected to attend the three-day convention, which began Friday. Acres of displays of rifles, pistols, swords and hunting gear could be found inside the convention hall.

Right across the convention, gun control advocates rally and express their protest. Many of the protesters held up signs that read: “Texans For Smart Gun Regulations” and “90% Want A Background Check,” a reference to recent polls that have shown that up to 90 percent of Americans are in favor of expanded background checks.

But LaPierre added the NRA is preparing for “round two” of the gun control fight. “They are coming after us with a vengeance to destroy us and every ounce of our freedom,” he said. “It’s up to us, every single gun owner, every American to get to work right now and meet them head-on.”

James Porter, the incoming NRA president, said Obama’s gun control efforts have created a “political spontaneous combustion” that has prompted millions of Americans to become first-time gun owners and created a national outrage that will manifest itself in next year’s midterm elections.