"The Ex" shooting target at NRA convention last week encourages deadly domestic violence

[Triana]

Just received in my email from http://www.weareultraviolet.org . . .

A shooting target mannequin named the "The Ex," a large-breasted woman who bleeds when shot, is being sold on Amazon.com. It's manufactured by Zombie Industries, a company that was featured at the NRA convention last weekend.



Let's review the facts: 57% of mass shootings involve incidents of domestic violence.1 The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the chance that a woman will be murdered by 500%.2 54% of women killed with guns are killed by intimate partners or family members.3 Gun violence against women is a serious problem.

But "The Ex" shooting target turns violence against women into a joke and promotes the idea that men should want to kill their ex-wives or ex-girlfriends. The sole Amazon.com review says, "This was a very original, cool way to kick off a bachelor party for a firearm enthusiast, such as myself."4

Amazon.com recently came under fire for selling t-shirts that advocated for rape and domestic violence.5 After all that bad publicity, they won't want to look like they's promoting violence against women again. Zombie Industries has already had to pull a mannequin target that resembled President Obama,6 so they are definitely attracting media attention right now--and it's just the kind of bad press Amazon doesn't want. If we all speak up about this horrible "Ex" target we can get Amazon to do the right thing and stop carrying this dangerous product.

Add your name to the petition.

Violence against women may be a joke to the guys at Zombie Industries, but it's life and death for thousands of women every day. Women in the U.S. are 11 times more likely to be killed with a gun than their counterparts in other high-income countries.7

Guns also quickly escalate domestic violence situations. As Kelly Starr of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence told NBC's Brian Williams, "When there is a gun around is when we see domestic violence turn to murder."8

And it's not just in domestic violence situations where women are threatened with guns. 1 in 5 stalkers will threaten their victims with a weapon, and 78% of stalking victims are women.9

Zombie Industries crossed a line when they started making "The Ex" shooting target. Making light of violence against women is unacceptable, and Amazon.com shouldn't be selling products that promote violence against women. If Amazon pulls "The Ex" shooting target, it will send a clear message that this won't be tolerated in the mainstream.

Sign the petition.

Thanks for speaking out,

Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Malinda, and Karin, the UltraViolet team

_ _ _

Sources:

1.Women and Guns: New Ad and Research Show how Weak Gun Laws Turn Domestic Abuse Into Murder , Mayors Against Illegal Guns, April 3, 2013

2. Risk Factors for Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results From a Multisite Case Control Study, American Journal of Public Health, July 2003

3. Women and Guns: New Ad and Research Show how Weak Gun Laws Turn Domestic Abuse Into Murder , Mayors Against Illegal Guns, April 3, 2013

4. Great for a bachelor party!, Amazon.com, July 24, 2012

5. Company removes 'rape' shirt listed on Amazon, CNN, March 3, 2013

6. Vendor Pulls ‘Obama’ Target From Booth At NRA Convention, Talking Points Memo, May 6, 2013

7. Gun Laws and Violence Against women, Mayors Against Illegal Guns

8. Subtracting guns from the domestic violence equation: rare but effective, Rock Center with Brian Williams, May 3, 2013

9. Stalking Fact Sheet, The National Center for Victims of Crime, August 2012
Domestic Violence Statistics: Stalking, Domestic Violence Resource Center, 1997

[Frustratedlady]

1. Oh, but you can't own guns if you're into domestic violence, so he must be OK.

If he's lucky, he can get her the first time while his gun is still legal...or not. Chances are, he bought it out of a trunk to avoid that background check, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Surely, there is a way this terrorist group can be controlled? They are a terrorist group if they promote/allow this kind of merchandise and speeches to incite to be connected to and promoted by their organization.

[bunnies]

2. They did NOT pull the Obama zombie. In fact...

From the page where you buy it:

"Really… Al Sharpton thinks we are the new National debate!!! What real news is he hoping goes away??? Enter “DEBATE” for a 30% discount courtesy of Al!"

[marions ghost]

3. I'm sure their sales went up

after the publicity.

[bunnies]

8. No doubt.

Im surprised their site hasnt busted yet.

[Triana]

4. Please let them know about that...

....

http://www.weareultraviolet.org/contact/

They may change their campaign page.

[bunnies]

7. Good idea. I'll do it right now. On edit: Done. nt

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Their defense is that they have 15 male "zombies" for target practice

but I noticed that not one is labeled " the Ex."

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. I agree.

[PD Turk]

9. Ugh, no thanks

That's just repugnant

I'm going to stick with my soup cans and round paper targets I've always used.

[smirkymonkey]

10. This is disgusting and and an outrage.

I can't believe that this is something that is actually up for sale. It's sickening.