Gay activists are objecting to an image in the latest issue of Family North Carolina, a N.C. Family Policy Council magazine, that shows a bride and groom in the crosshairs of a firearm.
The image accompanies an article about legally-recognized same-sex unions called Marriage In Society's Moral Crosshairs.
In an article last week, the Huffington Post quoted bloggers saying the image was inappropriate post-Gabrielle Giffords, and runs contrary to notions of civil debate. One blogger invited critics to email the Family Policy Council.
Bill Brooks, executive director, said the organization received a few emails last week.
"Some people may take offense at something," he said. "We certainly didn't mean any."
The image points out that the definition of marriage is in the crosshairs, Brooks said. "It has nothing to do with anything other than that."
The state has a marriage referendum scheduled for May 8.
