The National Rifle Association came up with an innovative approach for explaining how firearms make people safer: by incorporating guns into classic fairly tales.
Hansel and Gretel go off into the forest with their hunting rifles in search of food, find other children held hostage in a gingerbread house, and rescue them while the witch sleeps.
We see Alice following the White Rabbit into a room with a wall cabinet. The curious Alice opens a small door with a sparkly heart on the front, finds a handgun, peers down the barrel, and shoots herself in the face. While the ad spares us any gore, we do see the tardy bunny express shock at the sound of the gunshot, and Alice fall backwards onto the floor in slow motion.
The Brady Campaign appears to be aware that its ad may be upsetting to some. A press release blares "BRADY RELEASES EDGY ANSWER TO #NRAFairyTales." But it is betting that a little edge will make sure that its message about the risks of gun ownership gets out.
NRA Pens "Little Red Riding Hood (Has a Gun)"
NRAFamily.com has published the short stories "Little Red Riding Hood (Has a Gun)"and "Hansel and Gretel (Have Guns)." No shots are fired in these reworked children's classic. Red Riding Hood's grandmother only needs to pull out her shotgun to freeze the Big Bad Wolf in his tracks. (“I don't think I’ll be eaten today, and you won't be eating anyone again.")Hansel and Gretel go off into the forest with their hunting rifles in search of food, find other children held hostage in a gingerbread house, and rescue them while the witch sleeps.
Brady Campaign Responds With "Alice" Accidentally Shooting Herself
Soon after, NRA critics on Twitter launched a mocking #NRAFairlyTales effort, offering up other possible stories for the NRA to re-envision. Then the pro-gun control Brady Campaign took matters one step further, with a 30-second PSA featuring Alice in Wonderland.We see Alice following the White Rabbit into a room with a wall cabinet. The curious Alice opens a small door with a sparkly heart on the front, finds a handgun, peers down the barrel, and shoots herself in the face. While the ad spares us any gore, we do see the tardy bunny express shock at the sound of the gunshot, and Alice fall backwards onto the floor in slow motion.
The Brady Campaign appears to be aware that its ad may be upsetting to some. A press release blares "BRADY RELEASES EDGY ANSWER TO #NRAFairyTales." But it is betting that a little edge will make sure that its message about the risks of gun ownership gets out.