Mind-blowing
that this is even controversial:
Tim McGraw is defending his decision to headline a Connecticut concert to benefit a Sandy Hook group, responding to critics who call it a "gun control fundraiser."
Gun rights advocates took to Facebook and Twitter, calling the country singer a hypocrite for appearing in the event that will benefit Sandy Hook Promise, which seeks to protect children from gun violence.
Tim McGraw's opening act for the show pulled out as well, posting this
on Facebook:
McGraw released this statement to
the Washington Post:
“Let me be clear regarding the concert for Sandy Hook given much of the erroneous reporting thus far. As a gun owner, I support gun ownership,” he said. “I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety — most certainly when it relates to what we value most, our children. I can’t imagine anyone who disagrees with that.”
“Through a personal connection, I saw first-hand how the Sandy Hook tragedy affected families and I felt their pain. The concert is meant to do something good for a community that is recovering,” he added.
A bunch of unhinged commenters can be seen trolling
McGraw's Facebook page on various posts:
Big loss of respect for you Tim. At least Billy Currington has some values and stepped away from this.
Timmy thinks that all of us ‘regular’ people should be dis-armed while his family can do whatever the hell they want because he is a celebrity?
I support your right to do as you choose with your money. I hope you support my right to not support you with my money. If you want to support the victims find an organization that supports the victims not a political lobby group.
Regardless of the motive, we all know what the funds will be used for. Had responsible teachers and administrators been armed that day the carnage would have been much less. Oh, it was a gun free zone, right? How did that work out?
Nothing like a bunch of Libtards!
To all the women supporting Tim if a day comes when your mugged & raped you will wish you had a gun.
But there are also a lot of messages of overwhelming support:
Way to go Tim McGraw!!! I'm an even bigger fan. I have always been a big fan but now I'm an even bigger fan. You are in a position to make a huge difference. No good can come from everyone having a gun. So good on ya.
Thank you for your support to the Sandy Hook Children. You are the best...
Thank you Tim McGraw for taking a stand for what you believe in. I'm saddened as I read many of the comments that have been shared. I know God has you covered, I feel sorry for those whose comments are meant to harm. Someday those remarks will back fire as God knows every thing that is written or said. I pray Psalm 91:4 over you, your family and your band. God will truly bless you Tim McGraw!
Thank you for standing your ground about the benefit concert. The people throwing a fit need to actually listen to the reason for the concert and be supportive of the victims families instead of trying to create more chaos. Good for you for helping where needed instead of caving under the pressure like some. You're a good man.
Good on McGraw for not kowtowing to the haters.