Anti Gun Wal-Mart Protest in Florida - STOP THEM !

O

Oatka

New member
Sorry for the length, but this is another chance to kick MMM in the teeth.

Anti Gun Wal-Mart Protest in Florida - STOP THEM !

From a post on Freerepublic -

Even if you're not in the area, why not drop the pres a line indicating you will make a special point to buy a box of ammo that day in response to these yoyos' threats.

I'd be a little PO'd if someone to petition me in that manner.

email: letters@wal-mart.com

Fax Number: 501-621-2063

Lee Scott
President Wal-Mart Stores
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, AR 72716

MMM Attacks WalMart

The fight is begining in FLORIDA and it will spread to the rest of the nation. Do YOUR part to counter the MMM's and support Wal-Mart.

Begin SACoF/TB News

Arthur Heyhoe and some local MMM activists are trying to stop Wal-Mart from selling firearms and ammunition at their new store scheduled to open in Tampa in October because of its close proximity to the new High School. They had another meeting today to discuss the strategy to accomplish their goals. Some of our members attended the meeting and provided the following After Action Report.

It is critical we do not allow them to do this. Heyhoe tried to get his foot in the door in Pasco County and was shut down immediately and has now opened shop in Hillsborough County hoping to find fertile ground for his anti gun activities. Let’s stop him NOW!

THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE and the MMM group nationwide are planning a boycott of Wal-Mart. WE MUST SHOW OUR SUPPORT FOR WAL-MART AND LET THEM KNOW SHOOTERS, HUNTERS AND SPORTSMAN and GENERAL BILL of RIGHTS SUPPORTERS ARE SOME OF THEIR BEST CUSTOMERS.

Attached is a statement of support, (For Your Local Wal-Mart Store) please print it out and give it to anyone you know who shops Wal-Mart and give a copy of the statement and register receipt to the manager or supervisor at the stores when making a purchase.

We will also circulate a letter of support for their willingness to continue to be the source of supplies, guns, ammo, hunting and fishing equipment or for our everyday supplies. OUR VOICE MUST BE GREATER AND LOUDER TO COUNTER THE MMM's.

After Action Report:

The following are observations from attending the MMM meeting at New Tampa public library. Their goal is to organize a protest and boycott of Wal-Mart around October 11. They will send in their petitions around Sept 17. The national MMM is watching this to see if they can take it nationwide...

1. Estimated 30 people turned out. About 33% men, ages about 35-65. About 15 of these were hardcore MMM judging from their meeting participation. Hayhoe conducted the meeting. Out of the 30, there were 4 NRA supporters that elicited a spirited discussion from the group.

2. MMM wants to initiate nationwide boycott of Wal-Mart around November-December.

3. Local PTAs are working with MMM to sever school ties with Wal-Mart.

4. MMM will be active in Manatee Co in the next couple of weeks.

Some more thoughts on the Wal-Mart meeting:

1. These people have money.(Foundation Grant Money) Had a big TV camera and still camera documenting meeting.

2. They will have state wide and possible national support at the protest on Oct 11

3. For our counter protest, Let's all go in to Wal-Mart and buy everything in sight on opening day. That will stifle the boycott, get around permits, and get the support of the Wal-Mart manager who will know when opening day is.

5. Hayhoe mentioned his defeat at the hands of the Pasco 2nd amendment people.

6. Hayhoe mentioned his tax exempt 503c? status. Did not have literature on all candidates. They want Bill McCollum defeated big time.

7. Hayhoe opened the meeting by saying that they did not want to take away anyone's guns, but when confronted with confiscation in Australia and California, he supports it. Wants to make us all criminals if we violate gun control laws.

8. A lot of pre meeting discussion on the interpretation of the 2nd amendment.

The floor is open to response. It is hoped that we can muster a decisive turnout around Oct 11 to counter their demonstration.

Second Amendment Coalition of Florida/ Tampa Bay
http://www.4liberty.org/

ATTENTION:
WAL-MART MANAGERS

A CONCERNED CITIZEN WHO SUPPORTS WAL-MART’S SALES OF GUNS, AMMUNITION AND SPORTING GOODS MADE THIS PUCHASE.

THE EFFORTS BY THOSE WHO WOULD DENY YOU THE RIGHT TO SELL THESE LAWFUL PRODUCTS AND TO DENY THE HUNTERS, SHOOTERS AND SPORTSMEN THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE MERCHANDISE OF THEIR CHOICE, BECAUSE CHILDREN SHOP AT WAL-MART, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

THERE IS NO THREAT TO ANYONE IN SELLING THESE PRODUCTS. THERE ARE WAL-MART CUSTOMERS OF ALL AGES IN EVERY WAL-MART THAT I HAVE SHOPPED FOR MANY YEARS AND THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO.

PLEASE INFORM YOUR CORPORATE OFFICERS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE US WITH HIGH QUALITY MERCHANDISE AT REASONABLE PRICES AT EVERY WAL-MART STORE.

I'll be in Wal-Mart tomorrow, with my Statement of Support to the Manager, to pick up a supply of .223 and .308. No matter what you go there for, take your Statement and give it to the manager as you exit the store.

The following is a letter and the address of the Wal-Mart President and CEO that can be sent to convince him that it would be in the best interest of the company to continue business as usual.

PLEASE! Copy, sign and send a copy to him, have everyone you know who is a supporter to do the same. Feel free to distribute as far and wide as possible.

Wal-Mart is hearing from Arthur Heyhoe and his cohorts, they need to hear from you. The decision to sell guns or not will probably be made before the store opening so we need to get this out as soon as possible. If they do elect to sell guns in this store they will probably be picketed by A_H_ and company so we will need to be there too.

FYI I have attached a copy of the petition they are sending to Wal-Mart, which seems to me to be more of a threatening letter but isn’t that their usual way of conducting business.

Second Amendment Coalition of Florida/ Tampa Bay
http://www.4liberty.org/


Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 SW 8th St.
Bentonville Arkansas 72716

Mr. Lee Scott President

Re: Gun Sales at the new Tampa Store

Dear Mr. Lee,

We are sorry to hear you have been thrust into the gun control issue by a small group of anti-gun fanatics in the Tampa area. As a long time defender of gun rights we would like to share some insight on how these individuals work that are attempting to prevent you from the legal and safe sales of firearms. Their claim that this is a
"unique" situation is not at all true.

You have many stores that are in close proximity of schools, one such example is your store on Missouri Ave. Clearwater Fl. This store is almost directly across the street from Largo High School. If you allow these people to impose their will on you at this time you could find yourself in the same situation in stores across the country that are in an area of any type of
school which may include pre-schools, home schools, elementary as well as High Schools.

In addition they could also object to the fact that you allow children under the age of twenty-one in your stores that sell guns and in fact shop in the area dedicated to sporting goods within a few feet of the gun display.

No reasonable person would consider you doing business as usual in this store as a threat to anyone and in fact is a non-issue. To prove our point we will be at the opening of your new store to make purchases of firearms, ammunition and other sporting goods, after all hunting season is almost here and I am sure we hunters all need something new for the upcoming season.

Don't let the threatening demeanor of the petition being circulated by Arthur Heyhoe and his small group to distract you from your job to provide everyone in the community with the highest quality merchandise of their choice at the lowest cost. We commend you on your efforts
in the past and hope our mutual relationship will continue uninterrupted in the future.

Sincerely,
__________________________________________________

Wal-Mart Anti Gun Petition

By FLORIDA COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE, INC.

--PETITION -

To: Mr. H.L. Scott
President and CEO,Wal-Mart Corporation
P.O. Box 116 Bentonville, AR 72716-8611

Dear Mr. Scott: The signatures of the residents of Hillsborough and Pasco counties contained in this petition object to the sale of guns and ammunition at the new Wal-Mart Super store located close to Wharton High, School in the area of New Tampa, Florida, separated only by a public access road.

As you know, Wal-Mart has been sued successfully several times for handguns, shotgun, and ammunition sales to prohibited persons which has resulted in death and injury. As a result of these suits, your stores no longer sell handguns.

We commend you for that policy. However, your stores, including the New Tampa Wal-Mart, will sell shotguns, hunting rifles, and ammunition, some of which can be used in handguns. Your store supervisor has stated the decision to sell guns next to this high school was based on demand for firearms and the fact that there is a nearby target range. This nearby target range is a private skeet shooting facility only, and this new neighborhood does not appear to be engaged in either hunting or sport shooting.

Hillsborough County contains numerous professional firearm dealers who can easily and professionally supply the firearm needs of this community. As you are aware, there is a State law prohibiting firearms with; 1,000 feet of a school; however, this only applies when the school is adjacent to public property. The Wal-Mart store is situated on private property so this law does not appear, at first glance, to apply. However, Wal-Mart's private property and the school are separated by a road which is public property. If someone exits Wal- Mart 's private property onto the public access road, the 1,000 foot law may apply.

Just another reason why selling guns at this location is simply a bad idea. In addition, a judge may view this situation as one that needs clarification and offer an injunction against such sales. This community is well aware of the many tragedies which have occurred in our schools in the last two years. We are not opposed to the legal use of firearms for sport or self defense and we are not opposed to Wal-Mart selling guns from stores not adjacent to a sensitive activity such as schools; however, we are opposed to gun sales next to Wharton High School. We view gun sales at this store as an insult to this community and to the families who have lost children, and adults in school shooting. Please do not sell guns at this store."



[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited September 12, 2000).]
 
Oatka, how about a planned event. On Tuesday Oct 10 have every gun owner we can find go in and buy at least a box of .22 ammo or some dove loads. We can contact the NRA and GOA to let them notify the membership. We can hit every board on the internet as well as area ranges. Let us not leave out groups like the SAS, TSRA (Texas), SAFE (Indiana), and other state groups. I am sure that TRT would love to get involved. I would think that it was funny if about 30 guys would hit the WalMart near my house after work. We could notify WalMart of the plan so that they could look for the support. Even notify local and national media of the planned event, if it gets covered in the media more people will see it. What do you think????
 
I just sent Wal-mart a letter of support.
Oct. 10 sounds like a good day to go shopping in Virginia.

------------------
Those who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules.Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 
Jeff OTMG - you can give it a try. I suspect the media will ignore you, as might some of your couch potato buddies. At least this has been my experience. We can just NEVER get organized, it seems, even on small events like this.

In the past I've written GOA and the NRA with a "rally the troops" email. The latest being to hand out those Aussie registration forms. I get a polite Thank You from the NRA and nothing from GOA. I don't care if they don't answer, if only they would back some of these grassroots efforts. The least they could do is send out a "Here's what's goin' down" email to their membership base and let them make up their own minds.

At the least, try to get your buddies to buy a box of ammo and then tell the manager why. He will shrug off the first one or two, but if it keeps up all day, I think it would make an impression on him, or at least give him a topic to talk about for a day or so.

In Utah, WalMart is selling 550 round boxes of Federal high-speed 22s for $7.95. A cheap way to get your point across and who ever has enough 22s? :)

It's an 80-mile round trip for me, but I'm doing it.

[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited September 14, 2000).]
 
TRT? Did somebody say TRT? ;)

I don't know if TRT would like to mix it up with the MMMs - oh no! Not the Commie Mommies! :cool:

Suffice to say that the word's been given.

This is absolutely tailor-made for FL TRT ...

Gotta put a coupla FL groups together on this ...
 
Sam Houston Institute of Technology! (make an acronymn out of it).

Also, I think this was the Tampa MMMs first foray into activism. Their success will encourage more to join as well as broaden their attack to other new areas.

It ticks you off when the corporations roll like a log on you.
 
Evidently the Tampa area gun owners were asleep at the switch. What I thought was a just-started movement turns out to be over ONE YEAR OLD. (The old "Evil triumphs when good men do nothing routine.) Also, as stated earlier, the MMMs are now feeling their oats now and have Big Things in mind. Italics mine.

Wal-Mart won't sell guns at new store

MICHELE SAGER of The Tampa Tribune

When the new Wal-Mart Supercenter opens next month in the New Tampa neighborhood, shoppers won't find guns for sale.

In a surprising move, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Thursday that the store opening on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard on Oct. 11 won't display or stock guns on the premises.

The decision came just days after antigun groups held a second rally in opposition of gun sales at the store.

For more than a year, residents and community leaders have rallied together, upset because the Arkansas-based discount retailer wanted to sell firearms and ammunition at its new supercenter next to Wharton High School.

Antigun groups sent letters to Wal-Mart executives, organized two rallies and circulated a petition that garnered nearly 800 names. (and no one saw this??? - Oatka)

Residents even asked the Tampa City Council for help. However, city attorneys determined the store has a legal right to sell guns next to the school.

But after much persistence by opponents, Wal-Mart backed down and decided not to sell guns. It was a move that even shocked Wal-Mart's opponents.

``To be honest, I thought it was unusual for Wal-Mart to change its position, but I'm very pleased,'' said Arthur Hayhoe, executive director for the Florida Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

``I think Columbine is still on the minds of many people and companies are feeling the pressure,'' he said, referring to the April 1999 mass shooting at a Colorado high school.

In a written statement, Jay Allen, vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart, said the company considered a variety of factors, including the needs of customers who enjoy hunting. But he said the biggest consideration was the store's proximity to the high school.

``We are solely about making this a store of the community,'' said Jessica Moser, Wal-Mart spokeswoman. ``We came down and met with school faculty and our local associates, and we decided this was best for this particular community.''

Moser said in the past, there have been other Wal-Mart stores that have agreed not to sell guns to meet the needs of a community, but this was the first in the Tampa Bay area.

Cathy Wilson, coordinator for the Tampa chapter of the Million Mom March, said Wal-Mart's decision is a definite victory for those who fought to protect their children.

``We stood behind our beliefs, rallied together and Wal-Mart got the drift,'' she said. ``I think this shows that even small groups can make a difference.''

Andrew McGuire, national executive director for the Million Mom March, said the decision about the New Tampa store has national significance.

``This news is bigger than when UPS [United Parcel Service] said it would no longer ship guns,'' he said. ``Wal-Mart may not have made a national decision, but they stopped the sale of guns at a store because of community concern. This could be the start of a trend.''

Hayhoe said pressure from the national offices of antigun groups may have influenced the company's decision not to sell guns at the New Tampa location.

``Our little chapter may not mean anything to Wal-Mart, but a nationwide effort can definitely have an effect,'' Hayhoe said.

Wilson said the national office of the Million Mom March was considering a nationwide boycott of Wal-Mart stores.

``There was talk, but I really believe it was our work on the local level that made the difference,'' Wilson said.

Although the New Tampa location will not be selling guns, Moser said the decision does not affect other stores.

Customers can still purchase guns by mail order at the New Tampa location through Wal- Mart's catalog, and guns are available at the Wal-Mart on Fletcher Avenue, 8 miles away.

Wharton Principal Mitch Muley said he is relieved that the issue has been resolved.

``I told them that I understood their rights to sell guns next to the school, but that many people were still concerned,'' he said. ``I think they finally realized that not selling guns in the store was the right thing to do.''

Michele Sager covers education and can be reached at (813) 977-2854, Ext. 32, or msager@ tampatrib.com






[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited September 15, 2000).]
 
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