Posted on 07/03/2014 7:28:17 PM PDT by Kaslin
Well… I’m starting to run out of places to shop. Target Corporation (TGT) made the announcement on Wednesday that they have acquiesced to the Bloomberg fanatics who believe no-one should be armed while shopping. The company (politely) asked customers to keep their guns at home the next time they wander in for a DVD or Cuisinart.
Of course, it’s not all bad news. After all, a Target store in San Antonio recently booted anti-gun activists from its store. The Bloomberg inspired group, Moms Demand Action (moms I know carry .380 automatics), was asked to leave the premises as they petitioned shoppers to sign a ban on open carry.
So, when taken in the context of recent events, it kinda looks like the retail chain simply wants to be left out of the gun/anti-gun debate. And really, who can blame them? Picket signs, petition drives, and even AR-15s aren’t always good for business. I mean, sure, Target is creating a “solution” to an imaginary problem by banning gun-loving America… But they’re not exactly doing this in a vacuum.
Now, don’t get me wrong: Their decision is absurd. It’s pretty well documented that “gun free” zones tend to advertise a victim-rich environment to would-be criminals. Jack in the Box learned this the hard way when armed robbers took advantage of newly disarmed customers, mere days after the company declared their new anti-gun policy. And, if you really need proof of failure, just look at America’s favorite gun-free zone: Chicago.
A far more amicable solution might have been to allow local laws to preempt store-wide policies on firearms. But, Target is a business… And those who run it have every right in the world to make stupid, ill-informed, or even unfair decisions. Heck, they’re even allowed to make wrong decisions. But their decision does bring up an interesting point about the tactic of open carrying for Second Amendment rights:
In all honesty, recent high-profile open carry stunts have done little to help the proliferation of firearm rights. In fact, it has hurt the cause. And this isn’t the opinion of one “carry advocate” with a Townhall column… Even Open Carry Texas seems to understand that there are potential pitfalls to toting an AK around the grocery aisle of your local Super Target.
Smashburger, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, Applebees, Chipotle, Starbucks, and even Chili’s have asked patrons to start leaving their guns at home… And most (not all) of these decisions were made Bloomberg minions rallied in response to ill-advised open carry demonstrations. Now, I’m going out on a limb here, but I have to assume that an expanded prohibition on firearm-friendly-policies is not what open carry activists had in mind when they started their organized patronage.
But, welcome to the world in which we live. Movements, people, and even activists are generally judged by their ability to affect positive change. Prior to these most recent skirmishes, many of these locations allowed carry (provided it was in compliance with local laws) on their premises. Now things have changed… And not for the better. Now, please: don’t misunderstand me… I’m a very pro-gun guy. I have a 1911 on my hip right now because – well – because I’m awake. (And even when I’m asleep, it’s not far away.) But, if we are going to judge the activist-open-carry movement by its results, it appears to be a failure.
If the goal is to expand gun rights, let’s try not to bog ourselves down in skirmishes with national retail chains who are primarily interested in avoiding controversy. After all, discriminating against law-abiding citizens is in vogue; but discriminating against the main-stream media, Michael Bloomberg, and rabid-anti-gunners is generally viewed by CEOs and investors as corporate suicide.
It doesn’t take a genius to understand that presentation goes a long way in making, or breaking, a political point. Target is absolutely (without qualification) wrong for trying to ban law-abiding armed citizens from their stores. They may, or may not, feel the pain of their decision as gun-owners begin foregoing their visits to the newly created “victim-rich” retail stores… But, Target’s main goal of avoiding prolonged exposure in the media over a controversial social issue has been achieved.
Battles are launched in an effort to win wars… So, yeah: Moms Demand Action won this battle. Target is wrong. But, it is now up to Second Amendment advocates to make sure they are taking steps that perpetuate their cause – not infringe upon the lives of sympathetic supporters.
And, just to make it clear, here’s a quick guide on how to open carry in a way that disarms the ideologically bankrupt Bloomberg groups who lobby for the dissolution of gun rights:
This reminds me of the Starbucks debate that happened awhile back. Starbucks did not forbid carry, just stated that they would prefer that people not open carry at their business. I have coffee with a friend there occasionally and am usually armed. I sent them an email complimenting them on the food and service I had had there and thanking them for not trying to forbid me from carrying. I also told them that I really felt no need to at their business but that it was an inconvenience to stash the weapon in my car while there. I recieved a very pleasant note back stating that they intended to honor the gun laws of whatever juristiction their business was in.
It’s really a shame I’ve refused to shop at Target for the past decade just so I could ban them from my shopping now.
Thanks. Looked that up, looks like just about exactly what I’d want. Adding it to the wish list... ;-)
sweet. i ccw a glock 26 and will be getting a 19 next week. i called the manager at my neighborhood chilli's when they said the same thing and she said they don't care about ccw but aren't fond of open carry which i completely understand. the only time i would most likely open carry is hiking in the back country. it's crazy. you can ccw in a national park except in the visitor's center.
look, if we do stop going there and it does hurt business, maybe target will come out and say they were wrong. then the managers can have some ground to stand on and complain to corporate.
if nothing negative happens for target, the only way things can go is the request turns into signs.
These long-arm open carry demonstrations at Target and other stores are happening in Texas. Their purpose is to advocate for open carry of handguns in that state, which is currently illegal. Open carry of long-arms is legal.
Look at the "How To Carry" picture at the end of the original article. The "wrong" way may indeed be wrong, but the "right" way will get you arrested in Texas.
How many Freedom loving Americans still shop at Target? I wouldn’t step foot in the place. The people I know who shop there are all Libs anyway. They think they are too good for Walmart, so I laugh... you are buying the same merchandise at Target and paying more, kinda stupid if you ask me. They are just too good for Walmart. BTW I miss Sam Walton.
Yeah, I miss Sam Walton too
“...But, Target’s main goal of avoiding prolonged exposure in the media over a controversial social issue has been achieved...”
BZZZT! WRONG!
We are NOT talking about an ‘controversial social issue’, we are talking about a fundamental, codified RIGHT.
I treat my weapons like the military treats nuclear weapons... I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of any firearms which may or may not be in my possession at the present time.
If you do indeed find out that I am carrying a weapon, it will be because it is a situation where I might have to use it. In which case, if you are Target or another of its customers, you might well be thanking me later.
If, on the other hand, you are a criminal thug, well...
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