NRA Magazine Uses ‘Target Practice’ Headline Next To Image Of Pelosi, Giffords

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American Rifleman, a magazine published by the National Rifle Association, used the headline “Target Practice” next to an image of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in its March 2019 issue, drawing accusations that the NRA was promoting violence.

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), who herself survived an assassination attempt in 2011, is also visible in the magazine’s image.

HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery flagged the image and headline in a tweet Friday evening:

Pelosi’s daughter Christine Pelosi called the headline “criminal incitement.”

And Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) called it “a call for violence” against Giffords and Pelosi.

The story itself focuses on H.R. 8, a bill to expand background checks that has the support of a handful of House Republicans. Giffords was present at the Jan. 8 event launching a push to pass the legislation. It marked the eight-year anniversary of the shooting that killed six people, including a federal judge, and left Giffords with serious injuries as a result of a shot to her head.

The article marked as an “ILA Story,” referring to the NRA’s influential lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action. NRA-ILA’s executive director, lobbyist Chris Cox, is listed as the article’s author.

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