Christmas Tree Gun Ornament Draws Fire

[johnnymk]

I guess in a city where there are so many deaths due to gunfire it's a big deal.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/16092483.htm

Nothing says Christmas quite like a glittery, black handgun hanging from the tree.

Urban Outfitters -- no stranger to controversial products -- is offering the 5-inch-long, Chinese-made gun ornament for $6 in its stores and catalogs this year.

''Bust a cap in your tree with this superglittery ornament in the shape of a handgun, complete with a satin ribbon for hanging,'' the online description of the revolver says. It is meant, the retailer says, as an ''ironic twist'' on the holidays.

''Twisted'' is more like it, said Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's spokeswoman. ''The governor doesn't find it humorous or clever to display weapons that are responsible for taking hundreds of lives each year as if they are decorations,'' she said.

The ''Glitter Gun Ornament'' is one of several ''dark humor items'' the company is selling this year, it said in a statement. There are devil sock monkeys and light-up skull ornaments -- a roguish companion to the light-up Jesuses -- and shiny cheeseburgers.

'This specific `Glitter Gun Ornament' is by no means condoning the violence that we face in our city, or any city, for that matter, and is not meant to celebrate guns or gun violence,'' the Philadelphia-based company said in a statement. ``It is meant only to ironically celebrate the holidays.''

URBAN LEGENDS

Urban Outfitters' edgy sense of humor has drawn fire before. Various groups have protested two T-shirts -- one said ''New Mexico, Cleaner Than Regular Mexico,'' and the other paired a dollar sign with the words ''Everyone Loves a Jewish Girl'' -- and a board game, Ghettopoly, that spoofs Monopoly by featuring crack houses and housing projects. (The company also currently sells necklaces sporting Uzi and knife pendants.)

Capt. Benjamin Nash, spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department, couldn't resist calling the gun ornament ''outrageous,'' he but wondered whether he and the media weren't doing exactly what Urban Outfitters wanted: drawing attention to the company's website and catalog.

''It has the potential to raise their profile,'' he said, ``and that's just wrong.''

Duane ''Sadat'' Alexander, an outreach coordinator for Men United for a Better Philadelphia, was initially speechless when told of the ornament. He recently attended the funeral of a 17-year-old killed by gunfire. ''I'm really appalled,'' he later said about the ornament. ``My heart is so torn out from these deaths.''

As for the attempt at irony, he said: ``I don't see no humor in it whatsoever.''

Darryl Coates, executive director of the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network, said he thinks the company should be more sensitive.

OUTRAGE

''Once again, you see someone trying to profit off of the violent nature of our society, and if that's the case, they should withdraw the ornament from their catalog right away and submit an apology to the community,'' he said.

Coates is finishing up a deal to sell a fundraising ornament that he likes better. It features a city skyline and doves, and says: ``In the spirit of peace, in your home, in your neighborhood, in your city.''

But Paul Raynolds, a Summit, N.J., man who teaches firearms safety, sees no problem with a gun ornament, as long as it isn't pointed at anyone. He said: ``I think I might get one.''

[echonrg]

I think it's awesome for everyone to be able to express themselves whichever way they want. A gun ornament is a great idea

[Jcranmer]

Seems fine by me.

[ShawnLee]

Two points:
Point 1) The ornament is stupid, and the outcry over the ornament is stupid. What people need is better education on guns, not to turn them into a mystified objet d'art that symbolizes death and relegates them to curio status. Guns aren't anti-Christmas, they're a separate issue from Christmas. I'm sure that somewhere in the country, someone is going to get a gun for Christmas. Good for them. Be safe, and enjoy.
Point 2) I still don't get the outcry over the t-shirt. Having been through parts of Mexico and New Mexico, I can say that yes, in general, New Mexico was cleaner than the original. Are there exceptions? Yes. Is it offensive? A little bit. Is it funny? Yes. Is the humor worth the mild offense? Definitely, yes.

[BigJon]

An outcry over an ornament? Why don't they....just not buy it? DURRR!

[Napoleon54]

My tree is (or will be, rather) covered with fishing and hunting-related ornaments. Guns would fit in beautifully, and not in any kind of "dark" or "death-mongering" way. I wonder if they make shotguns and rifles as well. Armament ornaments- great idea!

What people need is better education on guns, not to turn them into a mystified objet d'art that symbolizes death and relegates them to curio status. Guns aren't anti-Christmas, they're a separate issue from Christmas. I'm sure that somewhere in the country, someone is going to get a gun for Christmas. Good for them. Be safe, and enjoy.

I'd be somewhat suprised if there isn't a rifle under the tree for my little brother this X-mas.

[Houdini]

Love the obvious slant in the article. Guns aren't responsible for deaths any more than knives, cars, carbon monoxide, falling off a house, etc. It's the person using the product who is reponsible for deaths.

Stupid idea? Maybe. I know several enthusiasts who carry Glock keychains. Does that mean that they are mass murderers? No more so than those who carry real Glocks under their shirts.

Yeah, a gun on a tree sounds stupid. But for some, it might be a great idea, especially, as SL said, there are plenty of people who will receive guns this year for Christmas.

A little knowledge goes a long way. A little hysteria based on myths and ignorance or even intentional lack of understanding "Guns are bad and evil and only are made to kill people," etc) contributing to paranoia, sadly, tends to go further.

Anyone who is anti-gun, find a buddy who likes to shoot, go to a range, learn how to handle one safely, then enjoy doing something that requires absolute concentration to build a true skill. That will demystify the image, and likely change views. A gun sitting on a table is as harmless as a paperweight, and unloaded, about as useful.

[echonrg]

hey as Larry the Cable Guy once said "guns don't kill people, husbands that come home early do"

[echonrg]

making a big deal out of nothing. How many of those people who complain about the whole ordeal played with bee bee guns, pellet guns, toy guns, laser tag guns or even the very fun water guns.

[welfareloser]

good lord. i thought the article was going to be about the gun ornament being large, looking real, getting carried down the street and freaking ppl out. don't politicians have better things to get pissed off about? jesus-shaped dildoes? murphy brown re-runs?

[cadetevon]

don't politicians have better things to get pissed off about? murphy brown re-runs?

Take that back. Take that back right. now.