Did You Know NBC Sponsors the Biggest Gun Show in U.S.?

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 17: An attendee looks at Smith & Wesson M&P15 MOE Mid rifles at the Smith & Wesson booth at the National Shooting Sports Foundation's 34th annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center January 17, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The SHOT Show is the largest annual gathering of shooting professionals with more than 1,600 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees expected. Credit: Getty Images

The Washington Free Beacon is reporting that the NBC News Network is listed as a primary sponsor of the largest gun trade show in the country. The irony of this news lies in the fact that NBC's family of networks has been perceived at times to be anti-gun in its coverage, a feeling that was intensified when Bob Costas went on his infamous gun control rant following the tragic death of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher.

NBC Sports is apparently on the list of primary sponsors for the 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The self-described "world's premier exposition of combined firearms" is set to take place on Jan. 15-18.

Comcast is the umbrella company that owns NBC Universal and its affiliate networks, including MSNBC and the NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus. In an interview with Bloomberg, NBC spokesman Greg Hughes said the network sponsors the gun show "as part of our commitment to our outdoor-programming block." NBC Sports has sponsored the gun show for "several years."

Attendees try out handguns at the Taurus booth at the National Shooting Sports Foundation's 34th annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center January 17, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit: Getty Images

The Free Beacon tracks some of the vocal opposition to gun shows expressed by MSNBC hosts:

“Why do we have to have gun shows?” pondered MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews. “What’s a gun ‘show?’”

“Is this really news to people that someone can skirt around the procedure and easily acquire assault weapons in this country?” MSNBC host Tamron Hall asked.

“It’s just ridiculous what you can do in Virginia,” “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough said. “Go to gun shows—the loopholes.”

“So many criminals get guns this way that some people call gun shows ‘tupperware parties for thugs,’” said MSNBC host Touré.

And of course, Bob Costas quoted from sports columnist Jason Whitlock, saying "If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today."

David Cohen, Comcast's lobbying chief, was among the groups that met with Vice President Joe Biden and his gun violence task force on Thursday. According to The New York Times, Cohen was also a prominent bundler of donations to President Barack Obama.

The Sunlight Foundation recently revealed Comcast spent roughly $28.1 million lobbying Congress during the last session.

Featured image via Getty