Comedian Jay Leno informed organizers of a gun industry convention that he is canceling his appearance at a show in Las Vegas after learning that the sponsor is a pro-gun group based in Newtown, Connecticut, where 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 elementary school children and six staff members in 2012.
Leno's decision came just hours after three gun control groups -- The Newtown Action Alliance, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and Campaign to Unload -- started an online petition asking Leno not to appear at the 2015 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade, which is presented by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Leno personally called Po Murray, the chairman of Newtown Action Alliance, to inform her of the cancellation. He said he was unaware that the NSSF was based in Newtown.
On Dec. 14, 2012, the town became the site of the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history when Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"I'm not at all surprised that Jay didn't understand that the NSSF is part of the gun lobby," said Murray. "Before the Sandy Hook shootings, I had no idea they existed, and they're right here in my community! I am thrilled that Jay changed his mind once he had full information. It is so appreciated by those of us in Newtown."
NSSF is a national pro-gun lobbying organization second only in size to the National Rifle Association. Based in Newtown, NSSF was the site of frequent protests following the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school that killed 20 students and six teachers.
Leno told Mother Jones, who first reported the Newtown connection to the Vegas gun convention, "I understand it's Newtown, and of course I get it. It's just, sometimes, mistakes get made."