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Country music superstar Tim McGraw will headline July concert to benefit Sandy Hook Promise, a group that seeks to protect children from gun violence. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, this announcement resulted in serious backlash from gun advocates calling McGraw a hypocrite and a whole lot worse. Among the critics was fellow country music star Travis Tritt, who tweeted his disdain for McGraw’s concert, and he was far from alone in that sentiment. The blog Bearing Arms, for its part, reported the story with the headline “Tim McGraw Poised to Dixie Chick Himself With Gun Control Benefit Concert.” McGraw “seems poised to make a similar, potentially career-ending move,” the blog argued, referencing the Dixie Chicks’ Iraq War controversy of 2003. Lead singer Natalie Maines unabashedly slammed President George W. Bush over that military initiative, and the group’s popularity slowly declined. Coincidence? Natural progression of a pop country girl group peaking around then anyway? Perhaps, but many have linked McGraw’s and Maines’ comments. Meanwhile, McGraw responded that he supports gun ownership, but added, “I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety.” Most certainly, the 47-year-old husband of Faith Hill said, “when it relates to what we value most, our children … I can’t imagine anyone who disagrees with that.” In his announcement, McGraw said, “Out of this tragedy a group was formed that made a promise to honor the lives lost and turn it into a moment of transformation.” “Sandy Hook Promise teaches that we can do something to protect our children from gun violence. I want to be a part of that promise – as a father and as a friend.” View Slideshow: Faith Hill and Tim McGraw Photos: Through the Years Unlike McGraw, Billy Currington, who would have been the opening act for the July concert, succumbed to the pressure and bowed out of the concert. Writing on his Facebook page, Currington said he would donate to a local organization, but “I’ve never been one to take on controversial issues – I’m a singer.” The Sandy Hook Promise group formed to honor the 20 children and six staff members gunned down in an elementary school in December 2012. Adam Lanza , 20 entered the Newtown, Conn., school and went on a rampage. He also killed his mother prior to the attack and committed suicide afterward. The incident is the deadliest school shooting in the U.S., yet little or no action was taken on the federal government level amid pressure from gun advocates. Gun control: Should regulations and laws be strengthened? YES. Fewer guns, fewer tragedies! NO. It’s unconstitutional and won’t stop anything! View Poll »

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Tim McGraw to Headline Sandy Hook Benefit Concert, Gun Advocates Up in Arms