Nevada GOP Candidate Defends Racist Jokes At Gun Event: 'Moral Outrage'

A Nevada Republican candidate for U.S. Congress has defended the use of racist jokes during a concealed carry weapon (CCW) event in Las Vegas.

Noah Malgeri, who is running to represent Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, shared a statement after Vegas CCW instructor Nephi Oliva made offensive comments at the Clark County Library on April 10.

At the event, Oliva shared firearm safety slides that included racial stereotypes, one of which was a Black man—implied to be a gang member—alongside the text "always lick the chicken grease off your fingers before shooting," among other instructions.

Oliva further attempted humor with the following fake instructions for Black people, including:

• Always shoot the gun right side up.

• Always make sure there's a white person around so you have someone to blame for everything that goes wrong in your life

• Always aim for small children to ensure you actually hit another gang member

In a Wednesday tweet, Malgeri said criticism of Oliva's humor was evidence of "moral outrage" and attacks on free speech.

He added: "I am a strong supporter of firearms education and the Second Amendment. I have never attended one of Nephi's classes before and have no role in the curriculum, but I don't believe Nephi is in any way racist.

"I understand that his presentation included content directed at several different groups represented in the audience but that he mostly directed his humor at himself.

"The constant 'moral outrage' attacks on free speech and comedy, in particular, have become tedious and are resoundingly rejected by most regular people, including me."

Malgeri was one of several Republican candidates and officeholders who were listed as special guests at the event.

Those listed as attending include Malgeri, U.S. Senate candidate Sharelle Mendenhall, Clark County Sheriff candidate Tom Roberts and Nevada gubernatorial candidates Joey Gilbert, Michele Fiore and Mayor John Lee.

While listed as special guests, some of the candidates told Newsweek they did not attend the event or were only there briefly before the slides were shown.

Gilbert denounced the event and told Newsweek: "The slide that was used at the CCW class I was invited to, but did not attend and had no involvement with whatsoever, is abhorrent and I condemn the latent racism."

Mendenhall told Newsweek in an earlier statement: "I support Nevadans obtaining their CCW so I agreed to speak at this event. I gave a quick speech supporting the 1st and 2nd amendment and the rights to get a CCW here in Nevada and then I left.

"As I was leaving I heard him say at the beginning of the class: 'This is an R-rated class and I bust on everyone equally.'"

Roberts told Newsweek: "I do not condone the graphics that were used during the presentation. Throughout my career, I have always strived to build a community that is both welcoming and inclusive for our residents.

"I was not aware, nor was I present during the presentation, and believe that insensitive and hateful language has no place in Nevada."

Oliva, an Afghan American, defended his comments in a Wednesday Twitter post where he spoke about his background and being associated with terrorists.

In the video uploaded along with the post, Oliva said: "Look, I think racism's funny. Cause, in order to be a racist you gotta be so ignorant. Cause, to me, racism is about fear.

"I fear you so, I want to control you because I'm afraid that if you're left to your own devices you will rise above me and you will be my ruler."

Newsweek has contacted the Republicans listed as special guests at the event and Vegas CCW for comment.

Republicans look set to make gains in Nevada and candidates will be looking to focus on attacking the record of President Joe Biden's administration.

According to a Suffolk University/ Reno Gazette Journal poll, Republicans are leading in both the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races in the state.

Democratic Senate incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto is narrowly behind Republicans vying for her seat.

Should the Democrats lose just one seat in the Senate, they would lose control and frustrate Biden further as the president seeks to pass key legislation.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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