One of the cartoons linked to Donald Raleigh (Source: MyGun.com via Internet Archive)

Donald Raleigh, a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives running for reelection  to represent District 38A, is linked to a series of web comics depicting the murder of various people, including children, by guns.

The dozens of illustrations show a stick figure shooting and murdering a variety of victims, including kids, people of color, a Girl Scout selling cookies, military members, environmentalists, a blind person, an overweight person, a Jehovah Witness and a DMV employee.

Cartoons linked to Donald Raleigh (Source: MyGun.com via Internet Archive)

 

Andrew Wagner, Director of Public Affairs for the Minnesota House Republican Caucus, told Heartland Signal that the cartoons were drawn by Raleigh’s brother, despite them being labeled as authored by “Dan & Don.” Don’s younger brother is named Dan. One of the cartoons depicting the authors also has a bald character that resembles Don. 

Wagner did not respond as to whether Raleigh knew the comics were being posted, despite the fact that the website the cartoons were originally hosted on MyGun.com, is owned by him.

MyGun.com was registered by the Minnesota-based digital marketing company Evolve Systems, according to ICANN’s Domain Name Registration Data Lookup. Raleigh founded and has owned Evolve Systems since 2002, as noted on his LinkedIn profile page. Raleigh also listed mygun.com LLC in his 2022 economic interest statement he filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board last month. 

MyGun.com showcased crude, violent comics from 2000-2002 before it became Raleigh’s business website for training people in concealed carry in 2003. The website advertised Raleigh as a certified firearms instructor, offering public and private classes on “Everything You Need To Know About (Legally) Carrying A Handgun In Minnesota.”

Raleigh’s 2020 campaign emphasized his pro-Second Amendment stance, listing on his website that he doesn’t “just talk about being Pro-2A, I live it and have spread the message to over 4000 students.” He was endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee.

Ken Martin, chairman of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, put out a statement condemning Raleigh’s “violent rhetoric” and “disgusting illustrations” after the party uncovered them in 2020.

“Making light of gun violence, suicide, and the murder of children is abhorrent and deserves condemnation from leaders in the Minnesota Republican Party,” Martin’s statement read. “At a time when Minnesotans are crying out for common-sense gun safety reform, the last person we need in St. Paul is someone who thinks gun violence is a laughing matter.”