michaelbane
Member
I wanted to get this letter posted ASAP so it can be commented on. Later on tonight, I'll post a picture of the offending advertisement.
Charles Garrett, President & CEO
Garrett Metal Detectors
1881 West State Street
Garland, Texas 75042-6797
Dear Mr. Garrett:
I am writing to alert you to objectionable content in an advertisement for your company, which appeared on page 80 of the February 2007 issue of Security Products Magazine. A copy of the advertisement is enclosed for your reference. In the advertisement, the text states “Metal detectors don’t belong on school campuses, but neither do guns, knives and other potentially harmful weapons.”
While it is true that some states prohibit the possession of weapons on school premises, some do not. In fact, several states specifically exempt from the prohibition those who have been licensed to carry concealed weapons, or those who have been authorized by the head of the particular educational institution. And in September of last year the University of Utah lost a case before the Utah Supreme Court concerning its policy on prohibiting weapons on campus. The court stated the University’s policy was in conflict with state law establishing the system of concealed carry permits.
Furthermore, there have been incidents in recent years in which armed students or teachers have stopped criminal attacks while on school grounds. In 1997 the Principal at Pearl High School in Mississippi used his .45 ACP pistol to stop a student who was shooting other students with a deer rifle. In 2002, two armed students stopped an assailant at Appalachian School of Law in Virginia. What is indisputable in these examples is that if not for the heroic actions of the armed, law abiding members of their respective schools, the carnage would have been much worse.
It is in the context of these examples that I point out the inappropriateness of your advertisement. I realize you are in business to make money, and to do that you must use advertising to appeal to customers. But there are ethical ways to do it. Making blanket statements against weapons in schools is not one of them. Rather, such statements detract from reasoned debate on the issue of school violence and perpetuate a culture of ignorance and fear mongering. For your company to profit at such an expense is socially irresponsible at best.
I have posted a copy of this letter to a nationally known web forum, www.thehighroad.org, which is read by many law-abiding weapons owners. I am requesting you write to assure me your company will not engage in the same objectionable marketing practices in the future. To do so would be conducive to maintaining a positive public image for your company.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Bane
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