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Targets encourage violence against Muslims, Michigan group says

Dawud Walid
/
Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations

A Michigan group wants gun shops to stop selling targets that depict a man wearing traditional Muslim attire. 

The paper target shows the skeleton of a  bearded man wearing a turban and robe, holding an assault rifle.

Dawud Walid is with the Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He says he bought a couple of the targets at a Royal Oak gun shop.

Walid says he introduced himself to the store owner, and explained his concern that the targets could encourage violence against Muslims.

"We don't want someone going to the gun range, perhaps someone who's emotionally disturbed or angry, and sees an area Muslim, who's just like this target, and maybe show some sort of animus towards them, or even violence," Walid says.

The gun store owner agreed to stop selling the targets.

"It was a very friendly conversation," Walid says.

Walid also spoke to the Ohio manufacturer, Thompson Targets.

"We'll be sending them something in writing, and hopefully they'll consider discontinuing making this disturbing target," Walid says.

Walid says the manufacturer told him the targets were made before Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces.

"I don't buy that excuse as a legitimate reason for making such a target," Walid says.