Why Is Jay Leno Shilling for the Gun Lobby?

[Old Nick]

The comedian is booked to crack a few jokes at a gun industry dinner
Author: Abigail Tracy
Posted: 11/19/14 16:41 EST

Jay Leno, known for his 22-year stint on The Tonight Show, is set to make an appearance at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas at the start of next year. According to the gun trade group’s website, you can see the comedian drop a few humor bombs on the gun lovers in attendance for the low price of $135 ($115 if you are a NSSF member).

Up to this point, Leno has never made any strong statements about gun control in one way or the other. However, a 2010 study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs did find that he aimed more of his partisan jokes at Democrats (67 percent) than Republicans (33 percent) between January and September of that year. He also gave Ron Paul a good deal of airtime to share his views on gun control and background checks on The Tonight Show in 2013. Ted Cruz also made an appearance on the late-night show later that same year to discuss Obamacare, gay marriage and background checks for gun buyers. So perhaps this gig is an extension—and escalation—of his potentially anti-gun control mindset.

Then again, it might just be the money. Leno, a two-time Emmy Award winner, charges from $150,000 to $500,000 for U.S. performances, according to Celebrity Talent International. To put this price tag in perspective, comedian Kevin Hart charges the same amount, while William Shatner rakes in between $75,000 and $150,000 for each appearance.

The video shows the kind of sellout Leno is, if the price is right.

[onehandle]

1. Self important asshole?

Like most gun nuts?

[Old Nick]

2. Don't forget Backstabbing Traitor

Yes, I'm a Conan fan!

[onehandle]

4. Word! nt

[NYC_SKP]

3. Nope. He has cancelled.

UPDATE: Less than 24 hours after this petition was launched, Jay Leno contacted Po Murray, the executive director of Newtown Action Alliance, to inform her that he had cancelled his appearance at the 2015 SHOT Show. He said he was unaware that the NSSF was a pro-gun lobbying group based in Newtown, Connecticut. As Leno told Mother Jones magazine in separate remarks, “I understand it’s Newtown, and of course I get it. It’s just, sometimes, mistakes get made.”

http://csgv.org/action/tell-jay-leno-cancel-appearance-2015-shot-show/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=csgv&utm_content=2+-+Sign+our+petition+today+and+tell+Jay+Len&utm_campaign=LenoShotShowCampaign&source=LenoShotShowCampaign

[blkmusclmachine]

5. ,

,

[840high]

6. He cancelled.