Politics & Government

Gun Control Story 1: Sen. Murphy: Cancel NASCAR Coverage

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-CT, has asked Fox Sports not to broadcast a NASCAR race because the NRA is a sponsor.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) today sent a letter to Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corporation, urging him not to broadcast the NASCAR NRA 500 race on Fox Sports. Fox Sports, which is owned by News Corporation, plans to air the race next week as a part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  

Last month, Murphy sent a letter to NASCAR CEO Brian France to call on him to reconsider his decision to sanction the race. While thanking Mr. France for his generous personal contributions to the Newtown community, Murphy  requested that NASCAR refrain from entering the current debate over gun reform in Congress and prevent the NRA from having the title role in the April 13th race.  

“The horror that unfolded on December 14th at Sandy Hook Elementary School has sparked a national conversation about the adequacy of our gun laws,” Murphy wrote to Murdoch. “Considering your support of sane gun control measures and the extreme nature of the NRA, I urge you to not broadcast this race on April 13th.  Inserting Fox Sports in this debate at this critical time will give credence to an extreme organization that is opposed to reasonable policies to stem gun violence.”


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