Posted on 10/10/2006 1:11:58 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The District of Columbia Million Mom March (MMM) Chapter is calling on Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder to cancel a shooting event with the National Rifle Association (NRA) that has been planned for Oct. 17, 2006. The second annual "Redskins Sporting Clays Challenge" is being held despite a public outcry over last year's event. The stated purpose of the event is to benefit the Redskins' Charitable Foundation.
The NRA is currently lobbying Congress to pass legislation (H.R. 1288 and S. 1082) that would repeal the city's gun laws. The bills would legalize handguns, semiautomatic assault rifles and .50 caliber sniper rifles; allow any person to carry, openly or concealed, loaded handguns and other concealable firearms in houses, places of business, or other land "possessed by that person"; and, severely weaken the District's ban on armor- piercing handgun ammunition.
The NRA-backed legislation is vigorously opposed by virtually every elected official in the District, Democrat and Republican alike. Mayor Anthony Williams, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Charles H. Ramsey, and DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton have all spoken out repeatedly against repealing DC's gun laws. "More handguns would mean more gun crimes, more gun violence and more homicides, as well as more accidental shootings and suicides," Ramsey said in testimony before Congress in June of 2005. "More guns will also mean a greater threat to our police officers."
Last year, DC youth groups including Peaceoholics and Facilitating Leadership in Youth delivered a petition directly to Snyder at Redskins Park opposing the event. They then stood in the rain to protest when the Sporting Clays Challenge was conducted at the Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Center. One of the protestors, James Ford, explained his reasons for being there that day: "We are losing our black youth at a rapid rate in the city. If our team is willing to support something that would kill the next generation of fans, then I need to protest."
"It's sad to see the Redskins holding this event again when DC youth so emphatically spoke out against it last year," said DC MMM President Ladd Everitt. "We have already lost 15 of our young people to gun violence in the District this year and- despite their assertions to the contrary-the Redskins can do no good for DC youth by partnering with an organization that wants to flood our community with more guns, including assault weapons."
MMM DC is urging residents of the District, and concerned citizens in the greater Washington area, to call the Redskins' front office at 703-726-7000 to encourage them to cancel the Oct. 17 event with the NRA immediately.
Gee, once in my life here I am actually cheering for the Redskins.
Don't cave to these ninny nannys.
Don't forget getting rid of the "shotgun formation."
Brahahahahahaha! whooboy...
I always use a .50 caliber sniper rifle for sportin' clays.
Maybe His Excellency the Vice President should invite some MMM to a shooting event. Nothing would S them TFU faster.
If it stands up to these clowns I might develop a smidgen of respect for the team.
As a citizen of Indiana I find that extremely funny!!!!!
Boy Reggie Miller sure ripped those 3 Pacers boys a new one....
well, once I got one in 300 winmag, but it was by sheer accident.
It's clay shooting for gosh' sake! These yahoos won't be satisfied till even slingshots are outlawed.
BTW, that gun ban in DC has really brought down the murder rate hasn't it?
OK, which one is the Republican?
Ran out of clay pigeons.
Now we'll see if the wussies have taken over the Redskins front office. Wait what am I saying....
Clay bird
Urban Yute
Why is there confusion over this?
The city is almost a walking caricature of gun control laws. It's almost worth letting it fall apart, just to prove the point.
Of course, the real purpose of the event must be something far more sinister.
Stop Bush's warrantless gun shooting!!!
SAVE THE SKEET!!!!!!!
You received a fine young player in Marquis Daniels from Dallas. However, he may be a head case, and never fit in with Avery Johnson.
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