HARRISBURG - Dozens of protesters took a stand against the National Civil War Museum Wednesday, saying that an exhibit currently on display and sponsored by the NRA sends the wrong message to young people.
“This public institution is highlighting guns when we in fact are trying to get them off the streets and limit their use,” Homer Floyd, a demonstrator, said.
Much of the anger is directed at the display of a pistol used by William Quantrill, a Confederate fighter who captured runaway slaves in Kansas and Missouri. In one such raid during the Civil War, Quantrill and his group killed more than 180 civilians.
“I don't believe America stands for showcasing past indiscretions that have historically, to our knowledge, been overcome,” Karl Singleton, a demonstrator, said.
The museum says the exhibit will continue as planned in spite of the community concerns.
“For all the good, all the bad, this is part of who America is,” Gene Barr, a spokesperson for the National Civil War Museum, said. “There are artifacts here that are tied to people who weren't particularly pleasant people, or weren't really nice and did some pretty ugly things during the war, but seeing those tied helps take us back to those times. Hopefully we can learn some lessons about making sure it doesn't happen again.”
Demonstrators also question the intentions of the NRA in providing funding for the exhibit.
“Well, I believe the NRA has a right to spend their money where they want, just like we have a right to oppose exhibits that they support,” Singleton said.
“The NRA decided to give us a grant to try and partner with us to help tell the story of this country's history, and you do that, unfortunately, many times through weapons,” Barr said.