Charlotte billboard shows Santa aiming military-style weapon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —


A billboard featuring Santa Claus posing with a military-style weapon in Charlotte is causing some controversy.


The billboard, which appears on Interstate 77 near Clanton Road, was put up by Blackstone Shooting Sports.


The billboard shows Santa aiming the military-style weapon and says “Santa knows want you really want!”

Charlotte billboard shows Santa aiming military-style weapon


This billboard is causing some talks. Personally, I think it's a poorly thought out billboard that has no place being shown. My viewpoint doesn't stem from being offended at Santa wielding a firearm. My viewpoint comes from the possibility that it will send a wrong message to children. Santa Clause is synonymous with toys. When children see a rifle-wielding Santa Clause, I worry that it sends that message that firearms are indeed toys. I'm pretty confident that everyone can agree that firearms are not toys. Yes, there are toy guns in the stores that I'm sure many kids will receive this year. However, the billboard isn't depicting a toy gun with its universal orange tip.

These kinds of advertisements are just poor marketing. It sends the wrong message and it has the potential to put children at risk.

Someone will shoot their eye out.

I agree the toy angle will be there for many. It already is for numerous owners.

What? Now adults can't have Santa bring them anything?

It's Charlotte N.C.... he will have plenty of support from around this area. I personally do not find anything wrong with it and certainly wouldn't mind Santa bringing me something like that.

a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe

I understand that the billboard is geared towards adults. I'd love for Santa to bring me one too! However, as adults, we should recognize how something like that can influence children. I'm all for 2nd Amendment, CCW, open carry, own whatever you want. But I just can't get behind this type of advertising.

When is the moronic fake rage going to stop. It's so cliché.

They even have a "are you offended by this" survey you can fill out on that link.

Man this country and Media are run by complete garbage.

Sanats has been used to sell pretty much anything on this earth, i dont have an issue with it personally.

Maybe Santa has taken this "War on Christmas" nonsense to heart, and is going to take matters into his own hands?

Good santa knows what I want this year a brand new scary black gun. Actually I will take one in earth to.

originally posted by: Kangaruex4Ewe
What? Now adults can't have Santa bring them anything?

It's Charlotte N.C.... he will have plenty of support from around this area. I personally do not find anything wrong with it and certainly wouldn't mind Santa bringing me something like that.

Imagine that! Children offended by seeing Santa with a gun, but they can damn sure play violent video games and watch television?

Is it me or is this PC BS infecting everyone on this planet? Maybe the "Zombie Apocalypse" has nothing to do with the "Walking Dead" at all! Merely a suggestion of those so offended by words and pictures that their whole life will be focused on the horror of a vision or word that haunted their fragile ID till the day they die........WTF!

a reply to: EternalSolace

I guess I'm from the old school where I expect parents to be parents instead of expecting the rest of the world to cater to my kid. It's not up to Blackstone Shooting Sports to choose advertising that I deem acceptable to her. It's up to me to answer her questions and discuss it when we see it.

There is nothing pornographic or violent on the billboard. It could be a teachable moment for some IMO, yet they will scream it down instead.

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: Kangaruex4Ewe
What? Now adults can't have Santa bring them anything?

It's Charlotte N.C.... he will have plenty of support from around this area. I personally do not find anything wrong with it and certainly wouldn't mind Santa bringing me something like that.

Imagine that! Children offended by seeing Santa with a gun, but they can damn sure play violent video games and watch television?
Is it me or is this PC BS infecting everyone on this planet?

The premise of this thread has nothing to do with being offended by Santa having a gun. It's about the message it sends to kids.

Santa = Toys
Guns =/= Toys

Nothing more to the thread. Has nothing to do about PC nonsense.

originally posted by: Blazemore2000
Maybe Santa has taken this "War on Christmas" nonsense to heart, and is going to take matters into his own hands?

Golly, you might be right -
in which case prepare for a mass shooting of "Christmas "deniers" somewhere.

If your kid is too stupid to realize the difference between a real gun and a toy, or you as a parent haven't explained it to them before they see this bill board, maybe you both need to be taken out of the gene pool before more stupidity is allowed to infest the gene pool. In fact if we're lucky he/she will take out the entire family. Problem solved.

a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe

I have the same mindset. At the same time though, there are a lot of very crappy "parents" out there. Children don't always ask questions either. When I saw this billboard, I was reminded of all the times I've read articles where a child shot another child with what they thought was a toy. If one incident like that can be prevented with something as simple being careful with advertising, I think it's worth it.

originally posted by: EternalSolace

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: Kangaruex4Ewe
What? Now adults can't have Santa bring them anything?

It's Charlotte N.C.... he will have plenty of support from around this area. I personally do not find anything wrong with it and certainly wouldn't mind Santa bringing me something like that.

Imagine that! Children offended by seeing Santa with a gun, but they can damn sure play violent video games and watch television?
Is it me or is this PC BS infecting everyone on this planet?

The premise of this thread has nothing to do with being offended by Santa having a gun. It's about the message it sends to kids.

Santa = Toys
Guns =/= Toys

Nothing more to the thread. Has nothing to do about PC nonsense.

Toys for adults?

Simply put, if it is horrifying for a child to see this "advertisement" then as already explained, "it is a teaching moment for a parent"!

This is the PROBLEM! Hell, I remember the days where "cigarette advertisements" were everywhere! OH THE HORROR right? If you send your children to public school? An advertisement of Santa with a GUN is the least of your worries.....

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: EternalSolace

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: Kangaruex4Ewe
What? Now adults can't have Santa bring them anything?

It's Charlotte N.C.... he will have plenty of support from around this area. I personally do not find anything wrong with it and certainly wouldn't mind Santa bringing me something like that.

Imagine that! Children offended by seeing Santa with a gun, but they can damn sure play violent video games and watch television?
Is it me or is this PC BS infecting everyone on this planet?

The premise of this thread has nothing to do with being offended by Santa having a gun. It's about the message it sends to kids.

Santa = Toys
Guns =/= Toys

Nothing more to the thread. Has nothing to do about PC nonsense.

Simply put, if it is horrifying for a child to see this "advertisement" then as already explained, "it is a teaching moment for a parent"!

I'm not denying that at all. Parents need to teach their kids so mistakes aren't made. But as I replied earlier, there are some very very crappy parents out there who don't step up to the plate to do the parenting. It isn't the fault of the children. It's the fault of parent.

But we can help by being a bit more responsible with the messages we promote.

a reply to: EternalSolace

For some reason this falls into the "Really" category as this is nothing new and compared to what they will see on youtube, this is nothing.

a reply to: EternalSolace

AT least he doesn't have trigger recognition

a reply to: EternalSolace

AT least he doesn't have trigger recognition

Blackstone is run by morons. This doesn't surprise me in the least.

ETA - that being said, all the butt hurt is doing great for getting their name out. And more money. Might be an ad in poor taste to some, but it's still media buzz and media buzz means money.