Professional Documents
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http://time.com/2873311/its-time-for-businesses-to-take-a-real-stand-against-open-carry/
this year.
Many of these retailers decline to take a stance either way, claiming that they do not wish to involve
themselves in contentious political issues. As we approach Fathers Day this weekend, when many
of our families will purchase cards or take us to dinner at such neutral establishments, the indignant
voice in my head tells me the worth of that excuse has long expired.
There was a time in America when companies made the same excuse when pressed on gay rights.
But some time between then and when Bud Light made a logo that advocated for marriage equality
and Oreo created rainbow cream, that ceased to be acceptable. As a country, we decided that
businesses that discriminated against the LGBTQ community didnt deserve our dollars.
One retailer certain to have a special interest in Fathers Day sales figures is Hallmark, a company
that, according to the National Gun Victims Action Council, bans weapons in its corporate
headquarters, yet doesnt have the same policy for its Gold Crown Stores. This stance has lead
NGVAC and other groups to call for a boycott against Hallmark this Fathers Day. And I think that
coalition is onto somethingIve requested that my family consider this when making shopping and
dining pans for Sunday.
But this issue goes farther than taking the common-sense step of not letting people carry rifles while
shopping for greeting cards. By attempting to stay above the fray, businesses like Hallmark are
choosingor being forced to choose, really, by the gun-totersthe side of irresponsibility. And to be
irresponsible themselves. When children are being shot almost once a week in their schools, these
companies need to look to Bud Light for some guiding principles.
Its time for these companies to get in the game of making sure our kids are safe. Id be ecstatic if this
Fathers Day, people and corporations started doing more to make sure I get to keep being a dad.
Richard Allen Smith is a former Army sergeant. He served five years on active duty, including a
deployment to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division from February of 2007 to April of 2008.
Smith is currently a graduate student in writing at Johns Hopkins University.