Country Stars Take Strong Stance On Gun Safety

Grand Ole Opry (Left), Billboard (Center), Smith Center for the Arts (Right)

Horrified by the mass killing in Orlando, and the premeditated murder of a talented singer at her concert, many in the music industry have stepped forward to take a stance on gun violence and safety. 

In a combined effort with Billboard Magazine, a group of almost 200 musicians and executives have signed an open letter to Congress asking for more action to be taken to stop gun violence. 

Many of the names on the petition have ties to country music and artists, including, Cam, Big Machine Label Group President Scott Borchetta, Warner Nashville CEO John Esposito, Rosanne Cash, Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, Elle King, Christina Aguilera, Cyndi Lauper, John Mellencamp, Stevie Nicks, and more. 

According to the letter, the names compose a group advocating for common-sense gun safety, and are asking for laws that require a background check for every gun sale and to require anyone classified as a “suspected terrorist” to be blocked from the purchase of firearms. 

This letter comes just over 10 days after two tragedies struck the heart of America and horrified the city of Orlando, Florida. 

On June 10th, singer and finalist on The Voice, Christina Grimmie was murdered during a meet-and-greet with fans when a deranged 27-year-old opened fire at the table she was signing autographs. It was later reported that he was obsessed with the singer and traveled to the concert just to kill her. 

The very next night, a gunman opened fire on a crowded nightclub, killing 49 people and wounding many others. The suspect carried a semi-automatic rifle and had, at one point, been suspected of ties to terrorism and interrogated by the FBI. 

The letter, which has the artists, managers, executives, and others imploring the government to take action, will be featured as this months’ cover of the magazine. 

Below is the graphic of signatures and list of names.