The National Rifle Association is encouraging members to take their favorite children’s board games – specifically Hasbro’s Candy Land and Battleship – and use them as target practice at a shooting range.
In a blog post on Wednesday, the NRA wrote: "Board games are a great way to bond with friends and family. But have these timeless games you’ve grown up with, played time and time again, become a little, well, boring? Put a twist on your favorite games and head to the range!"
The NRA has created its own version of each game in PDF format, even giving Candy Land the alternative title of "Target Land," and is spurring members to print them out.
This is the second time this year the NRA has used something aimed at children to spread a message. In January and March this year the NRA reimagined fairy tales, putting rifles in the hands of children to create a safer world. The NRA Family site published stories including "Little Red Riding Hood (Has A Gun)" and "Hansel and Gretel (Have Guns)."
Reps from NRA and Hasbro were not immediately available for comment on the matter.
Hasbro is the latest brand to be brought into a political conversation against its will. Last month, Tic Tac found itself denouncing lewd comments made by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump that emerged in a Washington Post report, which included mention of the brand. In September, Skittles pushed back against a tweet by Donald Trump Jr. that said: "If I had a bowl of Skittles and I told you three would kill you, would you take a handful? That’s our refugee problem."
Upon seeing the NRA’s post, the consensus among Twitter users was shock. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, called out the association for marketing guns to American children.
Make no mistake: the @NRA is marketing guns to American kids. "#NRA turns Candy Land into shooting target" https://t.co/GnW394cxW0
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) November 2, 2016
Others expressed disbelief at the NRA’s message.
Couldn't make this up if I tried - NRA Repurposes Kids Board Game Candy Land As Shooting Target https://t.co/TJ14zJHsB5
— Tim Fullerton (@TimFullerton) November 2, 2016
No words.
— States United (@SUPGVNetwork) November 2, 2016
NRA repurposes children's board game "Candy Land" as a gun range shooting target. https://t.co/K4Qo9fahq9 via @mmfa pic.twitter.com/O3SvPzRQHa
@HasbroNews the @NRA continues marketing guns to our children by turning Candy Land into a game about shooting targets. #MurderMayhemMadness https://t.co/SIbjfJL1Xe
— Meredith Vaughan (@MerMer0213) November 2, 2016
This is irresponsible and dangerous. @NRA Repurposes Kids Board Game As Shooting Target #CrazyTown #DisarmHate https://t.co/53wvy9Q35j
— 1Pulse4America (@1Pulse4America) November 2, 2016
GAME OVER NRA! Target shooting Candyland?Tell the NRA 'you lose' with your vote on Tuesday https://t.co/kqFCtm4NPj
— Colorado Ceasefire (@COCeasefire) November 2, 2016
Hey, @Hasbro, doesn't @NRA need your permission to use your board games in this way? This works against your #BeKind campaign. https://t.co/PB5zgAwnnV
— Jane Milquetoast (@janemilquetoast) November 2, 2016
