The National Rifle Association has taken some heat this week after attempting what it saw as a family-friendly approach to to gun rights: inserting guns into classic fairy tale stories.
As part of its new family-oriented website, NRA Family, the organization reimagined popular fairy tales by arming the main characters with guns. The stories, which the NRA posted on its site and in the site’s newsletter, feature illustrations and stories by Amelia Hamilton, a conservative blogger and author.
The first, published on March 17, is called Hansel and Gretel (Have Guns), a new spin on the classic Brothers Grimm story. Instead of being nearly eaten by the witch, the brother and sister duo rescue another boy with guns loaded. They then to return to their village and tell their parents, who storm back guns-a-blazing to capture the witch.
Another story published Friday is a take on Little Red Riding Hood called—you guessed it—Little Red Riding Hood (Has a Gun). It follows a similar narrative, with both granny and Little Red packing heat and using their guns to scare the wolf so he can be tied up and carried away.
“As they slowly began to feel calm, Red got her grandmother chicken soup and a cup of tea,” the NRA version of the tale reads. “They sat in companionable silence, happy in the security that comes with knowing they could defend themselves.”
Not everyone is thrilled with these reimagined tales. Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, called the series a “depraved marketing campaign” and called the stories “pathetic.”
“Make no mistake, this is a disgusting, morally depraved marketing campaign,” he said in a statement. “The NRA continues to stoop to new lows in the hopes of shoving guns into America’s youngest hands.”