The National Rifle Association is being pelted with criticism after posting the astounding headline “Target Practice” in its magazine next to a photo of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a shooting victim.

The furor erupted Saturday after HuffPost senior politics reporter Jennifer Bendery tweeted a screenshot of the magazine spread that appeared in American Rifleman, which is published by the gun lobbyist organization. The article examines Democrats’ efforts to strengthen gun control, claiming that legislators are attempting to “target gun owners with prosecution.” (One Twitter response characterized that phrase as a built-in excuse for the NRA to use in the face of aghast reactions to the headline.)

The large headline for the article “Target Practice” is next to a photo prominently featuring Pelosi. Giffords stands next to her. Giffords suffered catastrophic injuries in 2011 when she was shot in the head at a Tucson mall where she was speaking to constituents. Six people were killed in the gunman’s attack.

Giffords later founded a political action committee supporting gun control. Her husband, retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, is now running for the Arizona Senate seat formerly held by the late John McCain.

Someone sent me this image of the latest copy of NRA's magazine, featuring a story with the words "Target Practice" next to a photo of Nancy Pelosi with Gabby Giffords. Maybe don't do this @NRA. pic.twitter.com/u9fQhxwEyk — Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) February 22, 2019

The controversial spread appears in the Rifleman’s March issue. Pelosi is identified in the piece, written by chief NRA lobbyist Chris Cox, as the “arch anti-gunner.”

The NRA is apparently incensed that Congress will vote next week on the bipartisan bill H.R. 8 to require universal background checks for gun buyers. The photo of Pelosi and Giffords used in the magazine was taken as the women announced the measure last month — on the eighth anniversary of the day Giffords was shot.

Twitter melted down over the startling juxtaposition of the headline next to NRA “foes.” Pelosi’s daughter Christine slammed the headline in a tweet as an “intentional, outrageous criminal incitement.”

The NRA published a magazine headline “target practice” with a photo of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Rep Gabby Giffords. We must condemn this intentional, outrageous criminal incitement. We cannot allow this hate speech to stop common sense gun violence prevention. — Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) February 23, 2019

Fred Guttenberg, the father of Jaime Guttenberg, who was killed in the mass shooting last year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, said the page design was no accident, and also branded it an incitement to violence.

Magazine covers and titles are highly thought out. People get paid a lot of money on decisions like this. The decision in NRA magazine to have an article titled Target Practice next to photo of Pelosi and Giffords is intentional. This is incitement of violence and not OK! https://t.co/63mXCLn6UN — Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 23, 2019

This is revolting. — Kyle James (@kjatsea) February 23, 2019

Who is this guy calling Nancy Pelosi and Gabby Gifford "Target Practice"

Somebody might want to sue his ass? Maybe the @FBI needs to pay him a visit?@NRA scum threatening powerful women. pic.twitter.com/yX3570KkAn — Mr. Babypants (@mrbabypants) February 23, 2019

The NRA is proving to be a heinous organization that does not represent many gun owners in our country. The vast majority approve of common sense regulations. — Brenda Smoker (@lancgal) February 23, 2019

This photo was taken during the introduction of #HR8.



The latest copy of @NRA’s magazine featured a story with the words "Target Practice" next to the photo of @SpeakerPelosi with @GabbyGiffords.



America ️ Let’s Make Sure They Hear Our Voice Next Week during #HR8 House Vote! pic.twitter.com/V8UBgKB6CC — Joseph Sakran (@JosephSakran) February 23, 2019

@FBI@TheJusticeDept



This is inciting domestic terrorism & sedition.

The NRA needs to be held accountable for it's actions. — baffled (@farrellbruce2) February 23, 2019

NRA = domestic terrorists — Potato from the Future (@OldRussetPotato) February 23, 2019

The NRA is Tone deaf. Their latest magazine is in defense of the assault weapon and then you open it up and there’s a picture with Nancy Pelosi in it, and the name of the article is “Target Practice”. This is after that Coast Guard guy had her on his hit list! WHAT? @APpic.twitter.com/nwgqHOcToU — Mr. Reynolds (@melreynoldsU) February 23, 2019

More Powerful Women In The Crosshairs, Pelosi, Giffords In NRA Article Next To 'Target Practice' https://t.co/Ei3u77hXCt — Denise Oliver-Velez (@Deoliver47) February 23, 2019

They are the bad guys with guns. — nick cummings (@nickcummings3) February 23, 2019

@NRA



Irresponsible.

Harassment.

Implied threats.

Incitement to political violence.



There aren’t enough words to express how disgusting I find this.



Everyone who had any hand in this has demonstrated they are too immature and reckless to be trusted with high powered weapons. — Ian Mundell (@IanMMundell) February 23, 2019

The NRA did not respond to HuffPost request for comment.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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