Ed from the Rights Education Fund sent me an alert this morning saying that Wal-Mart had caved on having guns in their store at their Tampa store. We have had posts on this one. He quoted an alert sent to members of www.grnc.org I checked out their web page today and couldn't find it. I would assume that this is only being sent to members and hasn't been posted yet. Has anyone heard anything. I'll try to get Ed to post here for your information! I smell a major boycotte/letter writing campaign comming.
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Wal-Mart caves in Fla.
- Thread starter sumabich
- Start date
Sorry I didn't use hyper text, the link is http://www.grnc.org
Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605
828-478-4121, www.grnc.org, GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137
GRNC Alert 9-23-00: Wal-Mart eliminates Guns & Ammo from Tampa store
[BACKGROUND INFO] Last year, Wal-Mart received complaints from the local
PTSA, MMM, and other anti-gun advocacy groups regarding the construction
of a new Wal-Mart to be located next to a high school in the Tampa Bay area
of Florida. The issue seemed headed for a reasonable settlement in August
when Wal-Mart spokeswomen Jessica Moser announced that the new Wal-Mart would,
indeed, offer rifles and shotguns.
Now Wal-Mart has reversed its decision after the Tampa Bay chapter of the
Million Mom March and the Florida Coalition to Stop Gun Violence promised to
picket the store, collected 800 names on a petition, and even threatened a
nationwide boycott of Wal-Mart through the national branch of the MMM.
According to a 9-22-00 article in the St. Petersburg Times, the anti-gun
groups organized two community meetings and papered the area with fliers
encouraging people to attend and protest Wal-Mart's decision. Cathy Wilson,
president of the local Million Mom March, called the Wal-Mart decision the
new organization's first victory. "We were a force to be reckoned with," she
said. "We were not going to back down."
[ANALYSIS] In this case, David didn't even have to sling the stone to fell
Goliath. The enemies of the "gun-culture" have now tasted the blood of the
largest retailer in America, which quietly folded when faced with a boycott
threat from the Commie Mommies. The implication is straight-forward: Having
guns, even venerable hunting rifles and shotguns, anywhere near our
children, even in a store, locked behind a cabinet in a separate building,
will not be tolerated. Needless to say, if we say nothing, we can expect
more and more of this kind of nonsense.
Wal-Mart's decision is illogical... What new research has indicated that the
proximity of a firearms retailer to a school is associated with higher
school crime rates? If a Wal-Mart is a threat to our children when it's on
the same block as a school, why isn't it a threat when it's two blocks
away?... five blocks away? What radius around a school will the gun-control
freaks say is okay? If we do nothing, maybe the Mommies will allow guns &
ammo to be sold next to the porn shop on the outskirts of town...Maybe not.
We have seen the war against guns waged in the legislature. We have seen
the war move into the courts with a slew of city law suits. Now the war is
being fought in the marketplace, and we just got our asses kicked in the
first major battle.
[ACTION] Wal-Mart is a profit-seeking business. Millions of gun-owners and
hunters spend billions of dollars on sporting supplies and other household
goods at Wal-Mart. We need to let Wal-Mart know, to paraphrase the gleeful
Cathy Wilson, that "We are a force to be reckoned with, we will not back
down."
Wal-Mart is currently conducting a numerical survey of the chain's customer
base regarding the sale of guns and ammo in their outlets.
Call Wal-Mart at:
* (800) 925-6278 and
* select menu option #1 for Wal-Mart Customer Hotline, then
* select menu option #4 to speak to a representative in C.E.O. Lee
Scott's office. Be patient, you may have to wait a few minutes.
Tell them that they are sending a very offensive message to hunters and
gunowners and that you will not tolerate it. If they continue to eliminate
guns and ammo from their stores, you will take your business to Target or
some other store.
Wal-Mart needs to hear from a large numbers of us. They need to know we are
offended. They need to know we think their decision is illogical. They
need to know we are organized and won't sit quietly while guns are vilified
and banned from the marketplace.
Pass this e-mail on to ALL of your friends and acquaintances who hunt or
participate in any shooting sport.
828-478-4121, www.grnc.org, GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137
GRNC Alert 9-23-00: Wal-Mart eliminates Guns & Ammo from Tampa store
[BACKGROUND INFO] Last year, Wal-Mart received complaints from the local
PTSA, MMM, and other anti-gun advocacy groups regarding the construction
of a new Wal-Mart to be located next to a high school in the Tampa Bay area
of Florida. The issue seemed headed for a reasonable settlement in August
when Wal-Mart spokeswomen Jessica Moser announced that the new Wal-Mart would,
indeed, offer rifles and shotguns.
Now Wal-Mart has reversed its decision after the Tampa Bay chapter of the
Million Mom March and the Florida Coalition to Stop Gun Violence promised to
picket the store, collected 800 names on a petition, and even threatened a
nationwide boycott of Wal-Mart through the national branch of the MMM.
According to a 9-22-00 article in the St. Petersburg Times, the anti-gun
groups organized two community meetings and papered the area with fliers
encouraging people to attend and protest Wal-Mart's decision. Cathy Wilson,
president of the local Million Mom March, called the Wal-Mart decision the
new organization's first victory. "We were a force to be reckoned with," she
said. "We were not going to back down."
[ANALYSIS] In this case, David didn't even have to sling the stone to fell
Goliath. The enemies of the "gun-culture" have now tasted the blood of the
largest retailer in America, which quietly folded when faced with a boycott
threat from the Commie Mommies. The implication is straight-forward: Having
guns, even venerable hunting rifles and shotguns, anywhere near our
children, even in a store, locked behind a cabinet in a separate building,
will not be tolerated. Needless to say, if we say nothing, we can expect
more and more of this kind of nonsense.
Wal-Mart's decision is illogical... What new research has indicated that the
proximity of a firearms retailer to a school is associated with higher
school crime rates? If a Wal-Mart is a threat to our children when it's on
the same block as a school, why isn't it a threat when it's two blocks
away?... five blocks away? What radius around a school will the gun-control
freaks say is okay? If we do nothing, maybe the Mommies will allow guns &
ammo to be sold next to the porn shop on the outskirts of town...Maybe not.
We have seen the war against guns waged in the legislature. We have seen
the war move into the courts with a slew of city law suits. Now the war is
being fought in the marketplace, and we just got our asses kicked in the
first major battle.
[ACTION] Wal-Mart is a profit-seeking business. Millions of gun-owners and
hunters spend billions of dollars on sporting supplies and other household
goods at Wal-Mart. We need to let Wal-Mart know, to paraphrase the gleeful
Cathy Wilson, that "We are a force to be reckoned with, we will not back
down."
Wal-Mart is currently conducting a numerical survey of the chain's customer
base regarding the sale of guns and ammo in their outlets.
Call Wal-Mart at:
* (800) 925-6278 and
* select menu option #1 for Wal-Mart Customer Hotline, then
* select menu option #4 to speak to a representative in C.E.O. Lee
Scott's office. Be patient, you may have to wait a few minutes.
Tell them that they are sending a very offensive message to hunters and
gunowners and that you will not tolerate it. If they continue to eliminate
guns and ammo from their stores, you will take your business to Target or
some other store.
Wal-Mart needs to hear from a large numbers of us. They need to know we are
offended. They need to know we think their decision is illogical. They
need to know we are organized and won't sit quietly while guns are vilified
and banned from the marketplace.
Pass this e-mail on to ALL of your friends and acquaintances who hunt or
participate in any shooting sport.
September 26, 2000
Mr. Lee Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611
Dear Mr. Scott,
I am writing in reference to the Tampa, Florida, Wal-Mart, which does not stock firearms or ammunition.
A very courteous and pleasant lady in your customer service department explained that the unit in question is quite near a school and that it does sell long guns by catalog.
I well understand the concern over public perception and the desire not to become a target for Handgun Control, Inc., and the other enemies of our freedom. However, having pacified the radical left you have angered the millions of us who own firearms and who believe strongly in the Second Amendment.
By refusing to stock firearms you imply, rather strongly, that there is something inherently evil about them. Something more harmful to children than cigarettes, which you openly display and sell, something more harmful to children than the many magazines and books with extremely violent content, which you openly display and sell, and something more harmful to children than the violent music and videos, which you openly display and sell.
You openly display and sell birth control devices, which can be purchased by chidren, and thus you can fairly be accused of facilitating, if not encouraging, pre-marital, teenage sex.
By casting the shadow of evil over firearms you imply that those who own firearms are also evil. You surrender to the real forces of evil and give them a publicity victory that they will use to bring pressure on other retailers. They trumpet their victory over Wal-Mart and the Second Amendment and some citizens believe the lies because, after all, Wal-Mart, founded by a true American original, has sided with them.
I implore you to reconsider your decision so that I, and my friends and associates, may continue to shop at
Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Pending that reconsideration I must tell you I shall vigorously encourage the Rights Education Fund membership, as well as those who receive our e-mails, to join me in an active and aggressive boycott of your stores.
Sincerely,
Ed Williamson
for Rights Education Fund
Mr. Lee Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611
Dear Mr. Scott,
I am writing in reference to the Tampa, Florida, Wal-Mart, which does not stock firearms or ammunition.
A very courteous and pleasant lady in your customer service department explained that the unit in question is quite near a school and that it does sell long guns by catalog.
I well understand the concern over public perception and the desire not to become a target for Handgun Control, Inc., and the other enemies of our freedom. However, having pacified the radical left you have angered the millions of us who own firearms and who believe strongly in the Second Amendment.
By refusing to stock firearms you imply, rather strongly, that there is something inherently evil about them. Something more harmful to children than cigarettes, which you openly display and sell, something more harmful to children than the many magazines and books with extremely violent content, which you openly display and sell, and something more harmful to children than the violent music and videos, which you openly display and sell.
You openly display and sell birth control devices, which can be purchased by chidren, and thus you can fairly be accused of facilitating, if not encouraging, pre-marital, teenage sex.
By casting the shadow of evil over firearms you imply that those who own firearms are also evil. You surrender to the real forces of evil and give them a publicity victory that they will use to bring pressure on other retailers. They trumpet their victory over Wal-Mart and the Second Amendment and some citizens believe the lies because, after all, Wal-Mart, founded by a true American original, has sided with them.
I implore you to reconsider your decision so that I, and my friends and associates, may continue to shop at
Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Pending that reconsideration I must tell you I shall vigorously encourage the Rights Education Fund membership, as well as those who receive our e-mails, to join me in an active and aggressive boycott of your stores.
Sincerely,
Ed Williamson
for Rights Education Fund
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
ALERT FROM JEWS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FIREARMS OWNERSHIP
America's Aggressive Civil Rights Organization
September 27, 2000
ALERT: Update On Wal-Mart Gun Sales Policy Change
Recently, we sent an alert containing information
from usually reliable sources that Wal-Mart had
discontinued or was planning to discontinue selling
firearms in their stores. Apparently many other
Internet e-mail alert systems also transmitted the
same information. The Wal-Mart alert generated
three main responses.
WALMART'S FORMAL RESPONSE
First, Wal-Mart responded with a press release
which we reproduce here in full:
"Wal-Mart's position on the sale of firearms in our
stores
"Wal-Mart has sold firearms in our stores for the
past 38 years, and we have no plans to discontinue
this. We appreciate the fact that we have become
goal local destination of choice for American
sportspeople and we will continue to meet the needs
of these customers throughout the nation.
"Wal-Mart has recently announced that we will not
display or stock guns in a new super center in New
Tampa, Fla., but customers will be able to purchase
guns in this store through a special mail order
catalog. The situation in New Tampa is unique and
we are treating it as such. We considered a
variety of factors, including input from the
community and our local associates, as well as our
many customers who enjoy hunting and fishing.
However, the biggest consideration in this case was
the location of this store next to a school. Every
one of our stores strives to be the store of its
individual community and this is the right decision
for the community of New Tampa. But again, this
decision involves very unique circumstances and it
in no way should cause our customers to question
our commitment to carry firearms in our stores."
SUPPORTERS' RESPONSES TO THE ALERT
The second main response to the Wal-Mart alert was
puzzlement and unhappiness on the part of several
supporters. These supporters believed that the
alert was inaccurate, misleading, or exaggerated.
We are sorry that these supporters were upset with
the alert, but the third main response showed that
the alert actually produced a net benefit .
Many supporters did contact Wal-Mart to find out
what was going on with their firearms sales
policies. Wal-Mart received a huge number of calls
from customers who wanted to preserve their right
to keep and bear arms, and who did not want the
supply of firearms and accessories to be
restricted. Many supporters contacted us to thank
us for getting this message out. Although Wal-Mart
had not changed its company policy this time, the
outpouring of calls and concern showed Wal-Mart the
depth of concern of gun owners.
SINGLE STORE POLICY CHANGE IS SERIOUS
We strive to make sure that our alerts are accurate
and timely, and our commitment to these goals is
unchanged. In this case, our alert might have
overstated the case from one point of view.
Nevertheless, had Wal-Mart heard no negative
responses to its decision not to sell guns in the
New Tampa store, then Wal-Mart executives might
well have believed that American gun owners did not
care about the change in sales policy. We do care,
however, and now Wal-Mart knows that very well.
The change of policy in a single store is actually
quite important because the reason for the policy
change is worrisome. The mere presence of a
discount store that sells firearms does not cause
or abet crime, any more than the presence of a
gasoline station cause traffic accidents. Yet
because of an unfounded and superstitious fear that
having a Wal-Mart (with a gun department) located
near a school would increase the risk of harm in
the school, some local manager decided to ban sales
of firearms in that store. That kind of irrational
thinking and action indicates a real problem in
American society.
JPFO has been trying to reverse that kind of
thinking for a decade, and CCOPS is joining in that
effort. We cannot stand by idly while one of
America's best known chain stores starts to adopt
"voodoo" anti-gun policies -- even on a one-at-a-
time "local" basis. If one local store bans gun
sales without receiving criticism, then the
precedent is set for other stores to do the same.
Americans have been losing their rights slowly,
piecemeal, by one small infraction at a time.
Perhaps by going "overboard" on a seemingly small
matter, American gun owners have slowed the pace of
irrational anti-gun corporate policy changes. Our
thanks to all supporters for their feedback and for
their action in support of our right to keep and
bear arms.
The Liberty Crew
Hash: SHA1
ALERT FROM JEWS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FIREARMS OWNERSHIP
America's Aggressive Civil Rights Organization
September 27, 2000
ALERT: Update On Wal-Mart Gun Sales Policy Change
Recently, we sent an alert containing information
from usually reliable sources that Wal-Mart had
discontinued or was planning to discontinue selling
firearms in their stores. Apparently many other
Internet e-mail alert systems also transmitted the
same information. The Wal-Mart alert generated
three main responses.
WALMART'S FORMAL RESPONSE
First, Wal-Mart responded with a press release
which we reproduce here in full:
"Wal-Mart's position on the sale of firearms in our
stores
"Wal-Mart has sold firearms in our stores for the
past 38 years, and we have no plans to discontinue
this. We appreciate the fact that we have become
goal local destination of choice for American
sportspeople and we will continue to meet the needs
of these customers throughout the nation.
"Wal-Mart has recently announced that we will not
display or stock guns in a new super center in New
Tampa, Fla., but customers will be able to purchase
guns in this store through a special mail order
catalog. The situation in New Tampa is unique and
we are treating it as such. We considered a
variety of factors, including input from the
community and our local associates, as well as our
many customers who enjoy hunting and fishing.
However, the biggest consideration in this case was
the location of this store next to a school. Every
one of our stores strives to be the store of its
individual community and this is the right decision
for the community of New Tampa. But again, this
decision involves very unique circumstances and it
in no way should cause our customers to question
our commitment to carry firearms in our stores."
SUPPORTERS' RESPONSES TO THE ALERT
The second main response to the Wal-Mart alert was
puzzlement and unhappiness on the part of several
supporters. These supporters believed that the
alert was inaccurate, misleading, or exaggerated.
We are sorry that these supporters were upset with
the alert, but the third main response showed that
the alert actually produced a net benefit .
Many supporters did contact Wal-Mart to find out
what was going on with their firearms sales
policies. Wal-Mart received a huge number of calls
from customers who wanted to preserve their right
to keep and bear arms, and who did not want the
supply of firearms and accessories to be
restricted. Many supporters contacted us to thank
us for getting this message out. Although Wal-Mart
had not changed its company policy this time, the
outpouring of calls and concern showed Wal-Mart the
depth of concern of gun owners.
SINGLE STORE POLICY CHANGE IS SERIOUS
We strive to make sure that our alerts are accurate
and timely, and our commitment to these goals is
unchanged. In this case, our alert might have
overstated the case from one point of view.
Nevertheless, had Wal-Mart heard no negative
responses to its decision not to sell guns in the
New Tampa store, then Wal-Mart executives might
well have believed that American gun owners did not
care about the change in sales policy. We do care,
however, and now Wal-Mart knows that very well.
The change of policy in a single store is actually
quite important because the reason for the policy
change is worrisome. The mere presence of a
discount store that sells firearms does not cause
or abet crime, any more than the presence of a
gasoline station cause traffic accidents. Yet
because of an unfounded and superstitious fear that
having a Wal-Mart (with a gun department) located
near a school would increase the risk of harm in
the school, some local manager decided to ban sales
of firearms in that store. That kind of irrational
thinking and action indicates a real problem in
American society.
JPFO has been trying to reverse that kind of
thinking for a decade, and CCOPS is joining in that
effort. We cannot stand by idly while one of
America's best known chain stores starts to adopt
"voodoo" anti-gun policies -- even on a one-at-a-
time "local" basis. If one local store bans gun
sales without receiving criticism, then the
precedent is set for other stores to do the same.
Americans have been losing their rights slowly,
piecemeal, by one small infraction at a time.
Perhaps by going "overboard" on a seemingly small
matter, American gun owners have slowed the pace of
irrational anti-gun corporate policy changes. Our
thanks to all supporters for their feedback and for
their action in support of our right to keep and
bear arms.
The Liberty Crew
EVERYONE, PLEASE CALL the number and voice your dismay. I pointed out that we gunowners were their customers and probably the vast majority of those who protested wouldn't be seen in Wally World. I stated there were 80,000,000 gunowners in the US an bet that most were shoppers at Walmart. I said that by caving here it would be likely that they would face more of this. If they cave again, I vow to use every spare moment to encourage others not to shop there and would organize protests of their establishment in my area. I got a "thank you for sharing". And never got a response to "How many calls have you gotten so far from gunowners"! Let's give them 7000 more calls. It's toll free. My wife calls tomorrow, then the kids.... Follow up with a letter!!!!!!