The Washington Redskins are pairing with the National Rifle Association to host the Sporting Clays Challenge on Oct. 25, inciting reactions from anti-gun groups.
The Violence Policy Center, the Washington chapter of the Million Mom March and Alliance for Justice have written letters to the Redskins asking them to withdraw from the fundraiser. The Redskin Foundation should withdraw from the event if it is truly concerned with the health and violence issues D.C. youths face, said Violence Policy Center Executive Director Josh Sugarmann. These organizations want the community to know the event is happening and the circumstances under which it will occur, Sugarmann said.
"It's fairly offensive that the NRA would raise money in Washington to make an assault on Washington's gun laws, and it's a surprise that the Redskins would go along with them on this," said Zach Rag bourn of the Million Mom March, a group that is part of the nation's largest national, non-partisan grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, according to their web site, www.millionmommarch.org.
The NRA is critical of Washington's gun laws, which ban all handguns. The only firearm that can be legally registered in Washington is a rifle with certain regulations, said Metropolitan Police Department Officer Kenny Bryson. Washington's gun law has been in place since 1977.
Under Washington's law, the NRA believes its citizens are deprived of their Second Amendment rights.
"We believe that D.C. is just one example of failed gun control," said Autumn Fogg of the NRA. "We believe at the NRA that the law abiding citizens of Washington, D.C. deserve the same second amendment rights as the rest of the country."
"Having guns isn't necessarily bad for promoting family values, so I don't see how it conflicts with the Redskins' stated goals," said Andrew Robinson, a freshman in the School of International Service.
The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation's mission statement is to protect the "health and wellness" of the public, according to a press release from the Violence Policy Center.
One AU student found the Redskins' statement to be contradictory to their actions.
"I find it rather peculiar that an organization such as the Washington Redskins that is looking to give back to the community is helping an organization that is giving weapons back to the community," said Matt Kent, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs. "It is important to stress that our battle is not with shooting clay as an activity - it's with the NRA's political activities," Sugarmann said. "We believe a partnership with the Redskins and NRA based on what the NRA is attempting to do in this statement is inappropriate." An amendment was added to House Resolution 3085 that would overturn Washington's current gun laws. The House passed the bill on June 30, and the Senate has not yet taken action.
