Glock Pistols Being Given As Awards in CrossFit Games

Glock pistols are being given out as winning prizes in the CrossFit Games now being held in Carson, California.

Dave Castro, director of the CrossFit Games, made the announcement on the games' Facebook page:

But an online petition was launched late last week calling for a cancellation of the partnership between the CrossFit Games and Glock, an Austria-based gun manufacturer whose North American headquarters are based in Smyrna.

"CrossFit Inc would not form partnerships with fast food restaurants, alcohol companies, cigarette or pharmaceutical companies on the same basis," the petition said. "But a gun manufacturer is deemed as a good partner... this is not us. CrossFit is for health, fitness and the well being of the all people in all communities. This is not CrossFit. This should never be CrossFit."

As of Wednesday, more than 21,000 people had signed the petition.

The controversy has erupted in the wake of several terrorist acts and shootings over the last several months in the United States.

CrossFit is a branded fitness regimen created in 2000 and promoted as both a physical exercise philosophy and competitive fitness sport. Each summer, CrossFit championship games are held in California where participants complete in Olympic-style events.

In a FoxNews interview, Castro, a former SEAL and a competitive shooter, said he has received as much positive response as negative.

“[M]ost are only focusing on the negative aspect of it," he said. “Guns are legal in all 50 states, and they are a normal part of life for millions of law-abiding citizens. I am one of those and proud of it.

“Since I am an avid shooter, I have friends at some of the major shooting companies," he said. “One of them said Glock would be interested in giving guns to the winners of the Games. I said absolutely. We have gifted guns at the Games before, this is not a first.”