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'We Believe that Our Liberty is a Gift from our Creator': President, VP Take the Stage at NRA Annual Meeting

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President Trump was the headline speaker during a leadership forum at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting Friday in Dallas, Texas. This is his fourth consecutive appearance at the event. 

"We have pride in our history and respect for our heritage," the President said of those in attendance at today's forum. 

During the campaign-style speech highlighting everything from tax cuts to North Korea, the president called on NRA members to avoid complacency, urging them to vote in the 2018 election saying, "we have to win the midterms."

"You have a battle to keep your rights," the president said. 

"We're fighting to defend our freedom. We need to put people in Washington to support our freedom," Trump said. "To do the things we want, we have to get Republicans elected," he added. 

The president also spoke on his push for immigration reform and his support for police and school safety.

Vice President Pence and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre were also featured speakers during Friday's forum. 

During his speech Vice President Pence highlighted a list of the Administration's accomplishments since taking office and pointed to his own support of the NRA. "I'm here to tell you have two friends in the White House," he said. "In this administration, the right of the people to keep and bear arms will not be infringed."  

Pence called on the national media to "tell the whole story" to the American people when it comes to reporting on guns and gun violence, saying it's time to give heroes as much attention as villains. 

"Firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens makes our communities more safe, not less," the Vice President said. 

This year's NRA meeting is expected to offer some insight on how the group plans to shape its message in the wake of deadly mass shootings over the past year in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Texas and the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. 

More than 70,000 members are expected to attend this year's NRA meeting over the course of the weekend. Protests are also expected, including a protest by parents who lost children in the Florida school shooting. 

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