Singer Pat Benatar no longer performs "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" due to rise in gun violence

American rock singer Pat Benatar will no longer perform one of her hit songs following a marked rise in gun violence in the U.S. Benatar, who is currently on tour, told USA Today she will not sing "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" in deference to those affected by mass shootings.

Released in 1980, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was a single on her second album "Crimes of Passion." It is widely recognized as one of Benatar's most famous songs and contains the lyrics, "hit me with your best shot"/ "fire away."

While Benatar said some fans give her a hard time for removing it from her set list, she still refuses to sing it, calling it a "small protest."