Guess Who Made the NRA 'Anti-Gun' List?
The list contains nearly 500 names.
Feb. 6, 2013— -- The National Rifle Association released a list of nearly 500 "anti-gun" organizations and people, and it points a finger at a number of prominent Latinos.
Benjamin Bratt, Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia, John Leguizamo, Martin Sheen and Geraldo Rivera are all on the list. Interestingly, while last names were given for five of the Latinos, Rivera was simply listed as "Geraldo –TV personality."
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The powerful pro-gun rights lobbying group published an explanation of how people landed on the list.
"The following organizations have lent monetary, grassroots or some other type of direct support to anti-gun organizations," reads the introduction. "In many instances, these organizations lent their name in support of specific campaigns to pass anti-gun legislation such as the March 1995 HCI 'Campaign to Protect Sane Gun Laws.' Many of these organizations were listed as "campaign partners," for having pledged to fight any efforts to repeal the Brady Act and the Clinton 'assault weapons' ban. All have officially endorsed anti-gun positions."
But as a Bloomberg piece points out, not everyone on the list thinks they've been fairly labeled.
"The National Rifle Association classifies Bob Barker as anti-gun, even though the retired game-show host sleeps with a .38-caliber pistol next to his bed, shoots skeet and donated to the group's choice for president, Republican Mitt Romney," reads the article.
The former "Price is Right" host told Bloomberg he is "certainly not opposed to guns."
Barker added that the NRA may have placed him on the list because of "his vocal support of animal welfare, such as seeking to stop hunters from firing on pigeons launched from spring-loaded boxes."
But Barker certainly has good company. The list also targets everyone from ice cream companies to religious organizations.
The Latino-advocacy organization National Council of La Raza and the American Civil Liberties Union are both on the list, as are poet Maya Angelou and actor Matt Damon. The NRA also thinks that funnywoman Ellen Degeneres and deceased director Nora Ephron, the brains behind classics like "Sleepless in Seattle" are "anti-gun." Ben and Jerry's and the Kansas City Chiefs also make the cut.
The NRA did not return multiple requests for comment regarding how people were selected and why those who have passed away are listed.
The list comes as the debate over the nation's gun laws takes center stage. President Barack Obama tasked Vice President Joe Biden with developing a set of recommendations for reforming current gun laws following the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and he has vowed to take action on the issue in the coming months. Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's chief executive, said at a recent congressional hearing that he opposes new gun laws, including more stringent background checks and a renewed assault-weapons ban, which Biden has recommended.
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