Jay Leno Cancels Gun Show Gig Under Pressure From Activists

Jay Leno has canceled an appearance at a Las Vegas gun show after a group of gun control advocates pressured the former host of the "The Tonight Show."

Leno told Mother Jones magazine he called the National Shooting Sports Foundation to cancel his January gig at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show. The Newtown Action Alliance, a group of anti-gun activists formed after the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting incident, began an online petition recently against Leno's performance.

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

Leno had agreed to be master of ceremonies at the show's state of the industry dinner in Las Vegas on Jan. 20, according to Guns.com.

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, applauded Leno's decision in a statement she released Wednesday that targeted the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

"The NSSF opposes common-sense gun safety measures like background checks on all gun sales," Watts said in her statement. "This announcement comes just one day after moms launched the social media campaign #JokesOnLeno and reflects the power of holding public figures accountable. Jay Leno now stands with the majority of Americans who support common sense gun laws."

Michael Bazinet, of The NSSF, told Guns.com that the organization supports a variety of educational and safety programs like Project ChildSafe, which has distributed more than 100 million firearms safety kits and gunlocks.

He said the Newtown group's view of NSSF is not accurate and it will continue its work in support of gun owners.

"This anti-gun organization's ongoing strategy is to attempt to falsely demonize America's firearms industry," said Bazinet. "We will continue to advocate what works to help prevent the misuse of firearms while standing up for the rights of our law-abiding customers."

Guns.com reported that the Las Vegas gun show is only open to industry members and has 1,678 exhibitors registered.

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