Sebastian sent me this press release from Moms Demand Action that says they plan to make their new efforts follow a back to school theme. They will promote a website that tries to convince anti-gun people not to allow their children onto the campuses of colleges that have to allow the presence of firearms. They are promoting CVS and Costco as stores that should be applauded for banning licensed concealed carry holders from their stores, and asking their members to buy their school supplies there.
But I think what I find truly offensive about their press release is the fact that they claim women really only have a moral authority to talk about guns if they have used their reproductive organs to procreate.
I might be one of those crazy feminists who believes that defining women only by their decisions on whether or not to reproduce or telling women that the only body part they should be depending on to make political decisions is a bad thing and a step backwards to times when a woman was judged largely on her status in the home and as a bearer of a man’s babies. But, you know, war on women–or something…
Oh, and their new corporate target is Staples since it has no company wide policy banning all guns. (There are apparently stores that do it, and they have a state policy in Arizona banning them, but they are allowed in some stores in some states. But nothing short of a nationwide gun ban is good enough for Moms Demand Action.)
CVS and Costco, at least here in Tampa, do no such thing. If there are any “No Guns” signs, they are placed on doors that are not the main entryway.
I think a lot of businesses *say* they don’t allow guns in their stores along the same way they say they don’t allow methamphetamines – easy to just claim you don’t allow them but do nothing to actually prevent them from entering, thus pleasing the easily mislead.
Buffalo Wild Wings is an example.
Yes, their corporate policy says no guns, but here in Indy none of the places have any signage.
I think it’s real easy (and cheap) to draft a corporate policy.
However, putting up signs is a bit riskier to the bottom line.
Especially in states that don’t have binding signage.
I thought that the BWW policy was only for the stores run by the corporate entity, but they otherwise left it up to franchise owners for all of their other stores.
Yup. They can put up all the signs they want in Florida, doesn’t mean a thing. Now, if they discover you are packing heat and ask you to leave, you must, otherwise it’s armed trespassing.
The local AMC theater has ONE no gun sign on a single door, literally at the bottom. I ignore it routinely (just like the criminals do).
Agreed, I’m not aware of any CVS or Costco stores in Texas that have legally and properly banned licensed carry. And Texas CHLers are pretty good about shaming businesses that do post the proper signage. There is even a website for that! http://www.texas3006.com
That’s actually a really interesting point. Either CVS lied to Moms Demand Action and there is no such policy, or they are breaking the law about posting in some areas.
They don’t post in Virginia, where (I believe) they would be required to by law if they actually wanted to ban firearms.
I’m not sure I see the issue regarding defining a woman by their decision to have children. Although I think the quote from their program director comes off with an air of superiority, nothing they said indicates a sense of superiority over women who are not moms.
“Moms have the moral authority and the economic power not only to make a difference, but to drive the solutions.”
They are, by their name and own definition, a group of mothers lobbying for a cause they believe has moral implications. They don’t say they have a morally superior authority compared to women who don’t have children.
I disagree because of the word choice there of “the moral authority.” This fits very closely with what some of their members said in Houston. One actually said that my opinions on the issue didn’t count because I’m not a mother. The question of whether or not I had decided or not to make babies actually determined whether they believed my voice should even be considered in the discussion at all.
I had a similar experience when I spoke to the South Carolina chapter earlier this year.
A real woman (not necessarily, and usually NOT a “feminist” in most cases) would be interested in defending hearth and home against an attacker who would pose a threat to her family. I don’t see how that fits with the anti-gun narrative. But of course “feminism” today is really just an excuse to foist a bunch of liberal talking points on women come election time, so it’s worth distancing ourselves from the label anyway. Too much baggage attached.
The way many liberals see things:
A woman who votes for abortion rights and against guns, as well as other liberal issues, is a feminist.
A woman who votes conservative is being controlled or brainwashed by a man, and cannot think for herself.
This is literally what I have heard many liberals say. They claim the are pro-women, but really they are only pro-women if those women agree with them.
That’s pretty much how I’ve seen it play out as well.
However, protecting women inside the womb typically doesn’t ring through to them with the amount of “truth” that their anti-gun positions seem to in their minds.
Indeed, Costco in NM has only the mandatory signs required by the alcohol board. Costco in Nevada and Phoenix have no signage that I remember seeing.
Gun Control nuts, making up their “facts” since 1865.
As for Phoenix, 2 Costco locations in the eastern metro Phoenix area (Gilbert, Mesa) have textual signs prohibiting entry with a weapon. I assume this practice to be common statewide, but I can’t verify it. All Staples locations in the same area which I’ve seen have a “firearms prohibited” sign published to the standard specified in ARS 4-229.
Of course, I attempt do business with neither wherever possible.
I have no knowledge of the practice of local CVS stores.
Their map would be handy if you WANT to send your kids to a university with carry. Same for their list of businesses if you want to patronize those that allow guns.
No signs on the Costco up here, last I looked. Haven’t been to our BWW.
They may be confusing employee policies with store policies, or don’t realize that store policies are relevant only if exercised in conformation with applicable state laws.
Not wanting to beat this dead horse but:
—–Costco Response—–
From: Stephanie Bradley [mailto:sabradley@costco.com]
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 12:43 PM
To: Investor Relations
Subject: RE: Banning guns
Dear Mr. xxx,
This email is in response to your October 20, 2006 letter to our Investor Relations department, regarding Costco’s “No Firearms” policy at its warehouse stores.
As an initial matter, Costco is not a place of “public accommodation” within the meaning of civil rights laws. The definition of “public accommodation” does not include a bona fide private club or other establishment that is not in fact open to the public. Costco Wholesale is a membership-only warehouse club. It is not open to the general public. It restricts membership to a limited group of qualified individuals who agree to membership conditions. We have the right, and the obligation to our members, to enact and enforce membership rules. The Member Service Employees at the exit doors are obliged to follow these rules. By obtaining a Costco membership card, our members agree to comply with the Membership Rules and the Privileges and Conditions of membership.
Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world. This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each individual city/county/state/country where we do business.The shopping experience is not enhanced by bringing a firearm into our warehouse.
Our primary goal at Costco Wholesale is to keep our members happy.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Bradley
Executive Assistant to:
. . Joel Benoliel – SVP-Legal & Administration
. . Paul Latham – VP-Membership, Marketing & Services
sabradley@costco.com
Despite what the letter says, I didn’t see anywhere on the membership info that firearms are prohibited in the store. You would think that it would be under general policies.
And my local stores don’t have a No Firearms or No Weapons sign displayed either.
When they have a problem with me conceal carrying there, I’ll be happy to terminate my membership.
The other thing I find interesting about Moms Demand Action, is that they seem to be a lot like the Moral Majority. They are actually the minority. Most of the women I talk to here in Oregon (the conversation is usually started because of a pro-gun shirt I’m wearing) are actually pro gun and want to be able to protect their kids and family.
I’m a costco member and there’s a reason it’s called concealed carry, neither they or any one else needs to know if I’m carrying, period………….
“I’m sorry miss, can you prove that had a little child run through you your vaginal opening?” Can we get the TSA involved in the testing here?
Stupid woman like these set woman back. They are dumb as Bloomberg.
“Moms Demanding Some Action”?
Bitter makes a great point about “moms.” It is true that there’s an assumed superiority for those who have given birth. Childless women are generally treated like variations of males. Most women talk about their shared experiences raising families, balancing work with home life, etc. Women who have never had kids are missing that life experience. It’s very noticeable in the workplace.
For the Children, Bitter!
Children justify any and all actions, as long as you claim the actions defend them.
At least, that’s what I infer from use.
So does that mean that they do have to listen to me? I have actually given birth, after all.
In theory, yes. However, I’m sure they would be happy to dismiss your opinion as clearly being the result of male brainwashing. There’s not much consistency to their arguments along these lines. Their views are always superior, and they are always the elite and informed ones – in their own minds. I have no problem when one person believes they are right over others. I do have a problem when they translate that into arguing that anyone who disagrees should have no voice or deserves no respect.
It’s not the fact that they have kids. It’s that they have kids and hold nanny state views that make them smarter than you!