Dear CrossFit Games staff,

I’m a relatively new member of the CrossFit community. I stepped into a gym for the first time last December, and had a blast participating in the Open this spring (scaling most of the events). I’m writing because I’m very uncomfortable with the announcement on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/p/BHztP4fjgPA/) that Glock handguns will be used as prizes at this year’s Games.

While I fully support the rights of Games athletes and officials to own and use firearms responsibly, offering them as rewards for an athletic competition sends the wrong message for several reasons. At the very least, this announcement implies that the Games do not respect an individual athlete’s wish whether or not to own a gun and do not care whether an athlete would be able to pass a background check.

Furthermore, the timing of this announcement is tone-deaf and insensitive to the current dialog in America. In the past month alone we have seen far too many well-publicized instances of gun violence, many of which have targeted marginalized groups. When minorities are being killed for possessing weapons they are licensed to carry (despite complying with police instructions), for the Games to offer out Glocks like candy is highly offensive and damages the public perception of the entire CrossFit community.

I’m hopeful that the CrossFit Games will reconsider, and cancel the planned handgun prizes and any sponsorship arrangements with Glock.

Sincerely,

Mike Paxton

(a copy of this letter was also sent to support@crossfitgames.com)