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Regular Member
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/04/nra-flips-open-carry-criticism/9945899/
A national mothers group that persuaded Starbucks and Chipotle to ask customers to not bring rifles into their restaurants now has Target in its sights in the latest battle over public demonstrations by groups promoting the open carrying of guns.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which advocates strong gun regulation and is partly funded by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, said Wednesday that "Gun extremists have been using Target stores to promote their agenda of intimidation.
"American moms will not shop where our children and families — including our teens who work at Target — are not safe," the group said.
While Texas, led by the group Open Carry Texas (OCT), has been the site of most recent demonstrations by open-carry groups, the moms group said other incidents have taken place at Target stores in Alabama, Ohio, North Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin and Virginia.
Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said, "Target does not sell firearms or ammunition and, as it relates to this issue, we follow all state and federal laws.'' She did not respond when asked if Target would request customers not bring guns into its stores, as the group asks.
A spokeswoman for Moms, Erika Soto Lamb, says the group was in touch with both several local Target stores and the company's corporate offices but declined to discuss the outcome.
A similar petition drive by the mothers organization prompted Chipotle, Starbucks, Jack in the Box, Sonic Brands and Dallas-based Brinker International, which own's Chili's, to call on customers not to take long guns into their restaurants.
In applauding such moves, Shannon Watts, founder of the moms group, said, "American businesses and restaurants should not wait for open-carry extremists to demonstrate in their establishments — now is the time to stand up for the safety of employees and customers."
The increasingly vociferous public relations war prompted the National Rifle Association's legislative arm to issue a statement last week criticizing Open Carry Texas' campaign, saying, "Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners.
A national mothers group that persuaded Starbucks and Chipotle to ask customers to not bring rifles into their restaurants now has Target in its sights in the latest battle over public demonstrations by groups promoting the open carrying of guns.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which advocates strong gun regulation and is partly funded by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, said Wednesday that "Gun extremists have been using Target stores to promote their agenda of intimidation.
"American moms will not shop where our children and families — including our teens who work at Target — are not safe," the group said.
While Texas, led by the group Open Carry Texas (OCT), has been the site of most recent demonstrations by open-carry groups, the moms group said other incidents have taken place at Target stores in Alabama, Ohio, North Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin and Virginia.
Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said, "Target does not sell firearms or ammunition and, as it relates to this issue, we follow all state and federal laws.'' She did not respond when asked if Target would request customers not bring guns into its stores, as the group asks.
A spokeswoman for Moms, Erika Soto Lamb, says the group was in touch with both several local Target stores and the company's corporate offices but declined to discuss the outcome.
A similar petition drive by the mothers organization prompted Chipotle, Starbucks, Jack in the Box, Sonic Brands and Dallas-based Brinker International, which own's Chili's, to call on customers not to take long guns into their restaurants.
In applauding such moves, Shannon Watts, founder of the moms group, said, "American businesses and restaurants should not wait for open-carry extremists to demonstrate in their establishments — now is the time to stand up for the safety of employees and customers."
The increasingly vociferous public relations war prompted the National Rifle Association's legislative arm to issue a statement last week criticizing Open Carry Texas' campaign, saying, "Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners.