Illinois Rifle Association Will 'Shoot For The Cure' This Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Guns and breast cancer have one very pertinent thing on common: Both kill thousands of American women every year.

But while some may say firearms are a harbinger of death, for this year's breast cancer awareness month, at least one group will deploy their weapons to save lives.

On Friday, the Illinois State Rifle Association announced it will host its second annual Shoot for the Cure event next weekend, with all proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. For a small registration fee, event attendees can participate in shooting events and raffles in order to “help eradicate the scourge of breast cancer.”

"Nearly everyone has been touched by breast cancer," ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson said in a press release. "Firearm owners are eager to help find a cure. This event allows us to have a little fun while helping out the Komen organization."

All participants will be required to attend a safety briefing before shooting live ammunition. Moreover, the group said no personal firearms will be allowed at the event.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation did not immediately return a request for comment. However, the nation’s largest breast cancer charity has, in the past, turned its nose up at some unorthodox fundraising efforts.

For instance, earlier this week, the group soundly rejected an offer by a pornography website that had said it would donate 1 cent for every 30 views of selected videos during the month of October, NBC News reports.

"We are not a partner, not accepting donations, and have asked them to stop using our name," NBC quoted the foundation as saying.

In February, the Komen Foundation similarly distanced itself from a handgun manufacturer that was selling a pink gun reportedly designed to promote breast cancer awareness. Although the manufacturer, Discount Gun Sales, alleged its “Hope Edition” handgun would benefit the foundation, a Komen spokesperson told the Huffington Post that the group does not have any partnerships with firearm manufacturers.