The National Basketball Association (NBA) is taking a stance against gun violence in a new advertising campaign. The “Everytown for Gun Safety” campaign, started by former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, is an organization that battles the National Rifle Association and local, state and federal gun laws. The NBA’s participation in the campaign is precedent in that this may be the first occasion where the multi-billion dollar brand is placing itself in the realm of a national debate. In the campaign video, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and others lend their thoughts on gun violence. Players who appear on the first 30-second, which will run five times on Friday, speak in personal terms about the effects of gun violence on their lives. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors describes hearing a 3-year-old’s shooting: “My daughter Riley’s that age,” he says. Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers recalls the advice he heeded as a child: “My parents used to say, ‘A bullet doesn’t have a name on it.'” The N.B.A. held little internal debate about working with Mr. Bloomberg’s group. “We know far too many people who have been caught up in gun violence in this country,” said Kahtleen Behrens, the league’s president of social responsibility and player programs. “And we can do something about it.” (via NY Times) Watch the Everytown for Gun Safety campaign ad above.
