Jay Leno Pulls Out of Gun Trade Show Performance Following Pressure from Anti-Gun Groups

Variety reports that former Tonight Show host Jay Leno has pulled out of a planned appearance before the National Shooting Sports Foundation following pressure from a number of anti-gun violence groups.

The Newtown Action Alliance, which was established by residents of the Connecticut town, home of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting which killed 26, and other organizations began petition campaign objecting to the upcoming Las Vegas appearance at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show.

Leno told Mother Jones that "I understand it's Newtown, and of course I get it. It's just sometimes, mistakes get made."

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said in a statement, "Jay Leno now stands with the majority of Americans who support common sense gun laws," she said.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation said they were "disappointed" by Leno's decision. "He unilaterally canceled his promised appearance due to pressure from the anti-gun lobby, which included false statements about our industry and its commitment to genuine firearms safety, which we attempted to personally correct with him, but to no avail."

The went on to express that the planned event will go forward, "with a performer that respects the contributions of our industry and the customers it supports."

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