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Tuesday, July 1, 2014

I’m up for a good protest


Some of you may be a little too young to recall the really good protests. Like the American Revolution; it made the history books, it was so effective. In my lifetime I've helped a few along, but it’s been a long time. Not since the great salad bowl boycott of the seventies, in support of Caesar Chavez.

I wonder if we can do something about guns. Not about the right to own one, but about the need to display one’s full armament. I’m referring to the open carry laws, and the owners who believe it’s proper to stand in front of department stores, restaurants, grocery stores, locked and whatever else they say, displaying their values to small children hurried along by their parents.

We cannot make them go home, have open carry parties in the privacy of their own back yards. We can make the mega corporations of America pay for not taking a stand against public displays of weapons on their premises. There are more than a few corporations that have allowed demonstrations of open carry, whether through cowardice or complicity I do not know.

But, if we know what we think, there is something we can do. Boycott them. Ask our friends, our co-workers, people from high school who friended us on Facebook—boycott them. So we don’t dilute our efforts, let’s start with a big, easy one—Target. Let’s target Target. We want a public policy of not permitting a visible gun anywhere on store property, outside or in. Until it happens, we’ll take our money elsewhere.

I’d like to think we could put the genie back in the bottle one discarded regulation after another. No openly carried weapons. Then, no concealed weapons. No unsecured weapon in any home. But, we have to start somewhere, and let’s start with open carry and Target.

Find another place to buy the kid’s back to school socks and underwear, notebooks and Elmer’s. But, before you spend any money, ask Google if that chain has a policy against open carry weapon displays. If it does not, query another. Start with Target, but don’t stop there.

We are the people with the purchasing power. Let’s put our money where our mouth is. If you do not live in the USA, but believe guns belong behind closed doors, help us. Target has stores in Canada and India. Please, just don’t shop there. Thank you.



27 comments:

  1. Brilliant idea. And I firmly believe that guns belong behind not only closed, but locked doors. Target has stores here too - and I will check to see whether it is the same company. I suspect it is.

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  2. Good idea, I didn't realise that Target had armed guards that would be frighting you don't want to end up like the middle east with guns on display everywhere, I will no longer shop at Target.
    Merle..................

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  3. Target "Target" not a bad idea. Guns for hunting, target practice, and maybe at home for protection. Store them safely and be responsible, and no guns to people who do not pass usage tests (like driving) and tests of mental stability. I believe the Constitutional right to bare arms was intended only for responsible mentally competent people.

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  4. Guns should be in lock at home or on sale in stores. How many shootings will it take for people to realize that guns can kill.

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  5. That is a good plan. Here I've never noticed whether guns are on open display except in a gun shop where hunting is an activity.

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  6. Guns are everywhere here. Guns and religion. ;-)

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  7. I'd follow you anywhere, Joanne, and your suggestion could go a long way. One person, one idea, one cause, can make a difference.

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  8. Old Geezers Out to Lunch has a good post about Target here: http://oldgeezersouttolunch.blogspot.com/, on June 13th.
    I think you may be right, it'll be just finding the first step. Maybe open carry is it, maybe something else. That's what the NRA and different gun groups are doing: protecting every step, however innocuous it may seem. The 2nd amendment has become an icon, and a nearing religious symbol, and we have to figure out how to overcome that, and point out that the 'framers' of the document had no idea, nor do we have written testimony what their intentions were, what they meant.
    Cheers,
    Mike

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  9. If you want somewthing changed...hit the buggers in the pocket!

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  10. Thank you, Joanne. Knowing that you agree with me means a lot. I refuse to be Target's victim. They will not get another penny from me until they ban open carry. Why do people shopping for diapers and toys and groceries need to display their guns? Simple answer: no reason whatsoever.

    Love,
    Janie

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  11. I don't shop at more than several stores/establishment because of their policies. I am loathe to give up Target but the last time I went shopping for clothes I went elsewhere. And I got the plastic bins I needed elsewhere so I guess I will learn to do without. Home Depot is another. They also allowed it. Walmart too for other reasons but who knows, they are probably alright with it too. Hobby Lobby for obvious reasons. Sometimes there's no choice but I make it as little as possible.

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  12. Target has stores in Australia too. I rarely shop there, so it will be easy enough for me to stop. What about K-Mart? You have those in America, do they allow guns? If I can't shop at K-Mart either, I may have to get around nekkid once my clothes wear out. oh, wait, we have Big W, I can get clothes there.

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  13. Well said Joanne. Time for change and make some laws might save precious lives.

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  14. Good plan. I live in fear that Canada will one day follow the States with their gun laws, or lack thereof.

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  15. Not sure if this is the second time you'll get this.....something strange is going on with Blogger.

    I'm so glad we don't have your gun laws here in the UK. Even seeing armed police is rare and it gives me shivers down my spine of horror. I remember being in Vienna in the early 1980's and seeing police with machine guns. I ha d nightmares about it! Good on you and I hope there aremore like you out there Joanne.

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  16. We banned the ownership of handguns here some time ago, and there are many people who would like shotguns banned as well. Even longer ago, it became illegal to keep shotguns anywhere other than a double-locked, steel cabinet which had been inspected by the police.

    The idea that you (in some US States) can be allowed to keep a handgun in an open drawer so that your 12 year-old can borrow it whenever he likes is just plain crazy.

    There are so many guns out there now, that banning them would be pointless, as criminals and mad people are not known for their strict adherence to laws. The 'right to bear arms' is no longer a Wild West necessity, despite what Charlton Heston says.

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    1. P.S. I personally don't want to see shotguns banned here. They are strictly regulated pieces of sporting equipment - in the right hands.

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  17. Hari OM
    As 'Fish' earlier mentions, the law was written at a time when perhaps it made a genuine difference; in modern, urban society they ought not just be kept hidden but banned. As you say, though, one step at a time. No store guards in Scotland (and no Target - though I never shopped there even when living in OZ); however I choose not to shop at such as these (and an equivalent here is 'Primark') for other reasons. Let's mention sweat-shop labour just for one... I commend you on this Joanne as it is the modern equivalent of "the bomb". May I suggest, though, that everyone who makes a commitment for this reason must also back up the 'no feet through door' with the affirmative action of writing to the head office stating such. It is sad that by simply not turning up, one is likely not to be missed.

    Yaaayyy, I'm up for a good protest too!!! YAM xx

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  18. I commend you for being willing to protest that which you feel is wrong. Withdrawing support for that which you believe is wrong is a great way to protest what you believe. Luckily I don't live near a Target whose security guards carry guns but if I did I probably wouldn't go to the store because I wouldn't feel safe but not because of the guards carrying guns but because of the reason they were carrying the guns in the first place.
    That is one reason I chose to live in a small community where crime is much less and my risk isn't so high. If I wasn't able to live in this type of community I would rather shop where there were armed guards if it was needed than where the guards just wore uniforms.

    I think more protests are needed against our individual rights slowly being taken away. More and more laws are enacted about what law abiding citizens should not do. I think folks are tired of having their rights taken away one by one and those supporting rights to carry arms is an example of one of the few ways they can protect themselves or speak out without being censored.

    Don't get me wrong I don't think it's a good example for children to see guns displayed just for the sake of display but if guns are needed by security to protect folks who are law abiding citizens or dissuade criminals, then I believe that should be done.

    Unfortunately our government has gone too far in taking away the rights of citizens and not punishing more severely those who commit crimes. If punishment for crimes was more severe I think crime would go down including the use of guns in crimes and then guns wouldn't need to be used or displayed to deter the criminal element.

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    1. That's not what this was about Linda. Joanne was/is protesting the open carry of guns and more often assault weapons into stores and restaurants and deciding not to spend her money at establishments that allow that. I know the gun nuts who carry their weapons around with them all the time have this fantasy that they will be Rambo or McClain or any number of characters played by Arnie and will single handedly save the day and be a hero. What will really happen if a crazy shooter comes along is that the people carrying guns will be the first to get shot and if they do manage to get their guns in play before being shot then you'll have two or more shooters spraying bullets everywhere. Not a safe scenario. Many more innocent people will die. And then when the cops get there how the hell are they going to know who the 'bad' shooter is and who the 'good' shooter is? Keep i gun in your home if it makes you feel safer, but keep it there. BTW, statistically speaking you are more likely to be shot by a loved one with the gun in your home than it will be used to protect it. If the person open or concealed carrying is so worried about their personal safety, they would probably be better served by wearing body armor than carrying a gun. Or a rubber suit cause, ya know, there's always the possibility of getting struck by lightning but nobody worries about that.

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  19. he ones committing the crimes with guns, the majority shouldn't have their rights taken away because of the minority committing the crimes.

    http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/03/nra-to-president-obama-the-problem-isnt-guns-its-law-enforcement-media-and-the-mental-health-system/

    In modern urban society today if a criminal comes into my home to attack or kill me and does so; he will later be given a light sentence after years in the court system, or won't be charged due to a technicality. If jailed, after leaving jail, the criminal will most assuredly commit crimes again. Those in jail should have to work to support themselves rather than the citizenry supporting them. If I can defend myself and my property when the government or laws can't, won't or don't protect me or are spread too thin to protect me or help me then I believe it's my right to defend myself and property against the criminals.

    I think better mental health services, better screening of those purchasing guns, and mandatory safety courses are the answer along with much stricter punishment for all crimes committed whether they are with guns or not. It's gotten to the point where criminals have more rights than law abiding citizens; we need to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction. The legal system has gotten so cumbersome and bogged down with appeals and lengthy processes so as to become almost ineffective.

    For now I believe vigilance of citizens against possible criminal acts or suspicious activity is the answer but even that goes only so far in today's society. In the town we used to live in we reported our neighbor for selling drugs, nothing was ever done about it. Where my husband worked a person drove without a car registration or insurance for four years and was repeatedly reported to the police by many of those working with him. Nothing was ever done about it. When that person ran into another vehicle the other person's insurance had to pay and the other person's insurance rates were raised.

    There is too much crime and not enough punishment. Laws are only as good as their strict enforcement.

    Bottom line I think it's the government's role is to protect law abiding citizens not censor them or their rights.

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  20. This Canadian refuses to shop in Target (and Walmart where guns are for sale).
    Jane x

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  21. I did some research on open carry laws in my area and was SHOCKED to find out that it's allowed. (Although it can be restricted by local governments and I was pleased that my city is one of those. That's the good news.)

    The bad news is that if I remove Target from my shopping list there aren't many other convenient options, as I refuse to give my money to Wal-Mart.

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    1. Maybe it's because I live in Texas, or maybe it's because I am a military brat, and have always been in an environment where openly carrying guns is the norm, but I don't have such a issue with it. That is to say, as long as your weapon is properly holstered, and you regard it with a certain amount of respect as a potentially deadly weapon.
      I DO have a problem with the idiots walking around trying to make some kind of political statement, guns in hand, ready for action, purposely creating a disturbance and scaring the crap out of everyone within a city block.
      Those people are jerks.

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  22. Seems as if the upper management is now requesting that customers leave their guns at home but falls short of refusing to let them bring weapons into the store

    The leadership team has been weighing a complex issue, and I want to be sure everyone understands our thoughts and ultimate decision.
    As you’ve likely seen in the media, there has been a debate about whether guests in communities that permit “open carry” should be allowed to bring firearms into Target stores. Our approach has always been to follow local laws, and of course, we will continue to do so. But starting today we will also respectfully request that guests not bring firearms to Target – even in communities where it is permitted by law.

    We’ve listened carefully to the nuances of this debate and respect the protected rights of everyone involved. In return, we are asking for help in fulfilling our goal to create an atmosphere that is safe and inviting for our guests and team members.

    This is a complicated issue, but it boils down to a simple belief: Bringing firearms to Target creates an environment that is at odds with the family-friendly shopping and work experience we strive to create.

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  23. I think I misunderstood, I thought it was the security guards that carried the guns at Target, not the public, but still I don't think guns should be banned or taken away from law abiding citizens

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  24. We have different laws in Canada, and like Em said above, even seeing a police gun - holstered - gives me a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Most of the public here just aren't used to seeing guns on display. Less exposure seems to encourage less tolerance while the opposite is often true as well - if you grow up seeing them, you're more likely to tolerate them or even want them. And this is kind of at the heart of what Joanne is saying - if kids see gun-totin' grownups when they're in general merchandise stores, they see carrying as a norm. I wouldn't have wanted my kids to see that, when at home we taught that violence solves nothing and words are used to solve problems.

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