deals to die for america is grieving for the murdered children of sandy hook elementary school –...

deals to die forlivingsocial’s deadly deals that mix guns and alcohol

may 2013

a report by

“A day of popping caps and sipping on taps?

We can’t think of any experience more on target.”

- A LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL

deals to die forlivingsocial’s deadly deals that mix guns and alcohol

may 2013

a report by

The campaign DyingSocial and the report “Deals to Die For” were produced by CREDO and the Gun Truth Project.

Introduction

America is grieving for the murdered children of Sandy Hook Elementary School – but not, apparently, the Internet coupon company LivingSocial.

Most of the country was stunned by the senseless slaughter in Connecticut last December and is urgently looking for answers to the problems of gun violence, which claims tens of thousands of victims – our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors – each year.

But at LivingSocial, it has been business as usual. That means offering its customers deals that combine visits to shooting ranges with drinking alcohol. Promoting “an afternoon of shootin’ and drinkin,’” as LivingSocial did in a typical offer in Chicago, is not only tone-deaf to the anguished politics of the moment. It is also monstrously, irresponsibly dangerous. Mixing guns and alcohol presents an unambiguous and well-documented threat to public safety. And LivingSocial is choosing to profit from it.

LivingSocial prides itself on offering its customers “the best things to do in your city.”1 But targeting young people and enticing them to go on drinking and shooting “adventures” does not represent the best of anything. In fact, LivingSocial’s deals might better be called DyingSocial deals.

DyingSocial is an appropriate label because the company compounds the dangers of this country’s out-of-control gun culture on several fronts:

• Itadvancesthegunindustry’smarketingstrategy by bringing new customers to shooting ranges. They may be lured by more than just the firearms, but the firearms are what the industry is betting they will fall in love with. More guns in the hands of more customers equals more opportunities for new business and profit. Of course it also leads to more deaths and injuries.

• Itglorifiesthefoolishcombinationofgunsanddrinking, which has been denounced by the Centers for Disease Control and even by experts from the National Rifle Association. Alcohol erodes the judgment of both the victim and the shooter; too often, under the influence, they end up being the same person.

• Itexposesparticipantsinitsdealstopotentialphysicalandpsychologicalinjury because of poor training and handling procedures. Even analysis for the pro-gun lobby shows that beginners—such as those attending LivingSocial events—repeatedly make dangerous mistakes handling guns until well into their training. Accidental shootings and even suicides are common at gun ranges.

• Itopenlyencouragesalcohol-drivenbravado that can in and of itself lead to violence. There is plentiful video evidence of macho chest-pounding at shooting range events and evidence, too, of fights breaking out, including one at a most unlikely venue—an FBI shooting range.

deals to die for | 1

LivingSocial Promotes the Gun Industry

Consciously or not, LivingSocial has become a marketing arm for the gun industry.

Its shooting range events play directly into the industry’s strategy of increasing sales by introducing new customers—especially women and young people—to guns at special shooting range events.

“Work with a local range and hold an introductory event,” Shooting Industry, the premier magazine of the gun business, advises gun dealers. “That traffic will transfer to your store when those participants need equipment.”2

Some gun manufacturers offer special “range deals” to retailers. For example, the European handgun maker Sig Sauer makes its guns available for “test drives” at shooting ranges. Shooting Industry columnist and gun sales expert Massad Ayoob has described how this lethal product dangle works. “New models are displayed in one showcase, and rental guns are offered in another. The rental showcase often leads the customer directly to the new handguns immediately after the first test drive.”3

LivingSocial’s local shooting-and-drinking marketplace sells more than fun. It sells guns. And numerous studies have found that “where there are more guns, there is more homicide.”4

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THE COMPANY

About LivingSocial

LivingSocial is an online marketplace that offers discounted deals for local businesses in a number of cities across the United States and abroad. Founded in 2007 (initially as Hungry Machine), the company is headquartered in Washington, DC and currently has 70 million members and 4,500 employees worldwide. Investors in the company include: Grotech Ventures; Steve and Jean Case; U.S. Venture Partners; Revolution, LLC; Amazon.com and Lightspeed Venture Partners.


LivingSocial Glorifies The Deadly Brew of Guns and Booze

LivingSocial’s deals positively glow with the buzz of mixing alcohol and guns. One offer in Seattle even portrayed the mix as patriotic:

Fun fact: George Washington loved to shoot a gun. And, like every good American, he also loved a good tipple. Think you’ve got what it takes to run the country? Try a day of doing things the old school way with this Adventure: a day of gun shootin’ and beer drinkin’ that would be fit for any of the Founding Fathers.5

In Chicago, LivingSocial has touted mixing guns and alcohol as a way to reduce the stress of modern city life—as if firearm violence were not a major contributor to urban stress:

Take a break from the urban insanity—and blow off some steam while you’re at it—with this fully loaded Adventure: an afternoon of shootin’ and drinkin’, including target practice at an indoor shooting range, lunch, and a tasting of ten libations.6

ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENT

Bar Dispute Results in Fatal Shootingi

WASHINGTON,DC|03/21/2013

A dispute inside a Northwest Washington, DC bar resulted in a shooting near the Farragut North Metro Station. Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo, 24, of Laurel, was shot in the head while sitting inside a parked car near the bar at 2:30 a.m. No suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, but police believe that the individuals involved had been drinking inside Balletto before the shooting.

“We do not have a policy against running offers for educational or recreational shooting activities.”

ANDREW WEINSTEIN, LIVINGSOCIAL HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONSAPRIL 8, 2013

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DEADLY DEAL #1

Seattle, WAThe “Shootin’ + Drinkin’ + Round-Trip Transportaton” deal promises “a day of revolutionary fun” and offers patrons a hassle-free, seven-hour shooting and drinking excursion, complete with instruction and firing-range time with a wide array of pistols, rifles and assault weapons.

Patrons are bussed to Norpoint Shooting Center, where they receive instruction on basic firearms safety, break into groups and rotate through three firing stations. The first station includes 50 rounds of ammunition, to be used in any of the available .22-calibur pistols, and 20 rounds for any of the available 9mm pistols. Station two includes 20 rounds of ammunition, to be used on any of the available rifles. Station three allows patrons to use various shooting-style arcade games. Available firearms on-site include: Glock 9, Smith & Wesson 9mm, Springfield 9mm, Sig Sauer 9mm, Ruger .22-caliber pistol, Smith & Wesson .22-caliber pistol, 9mm Baretta Storm as well as AK-47 and AR-15 military-style assault rifles. Range-goers will also be allowed to take photos holding various weapons for keepsakes.

Once done at the range, patrons will be bussed to Scuttlebutt Brewery, where they’ll be guided on a tour of the facility, including beer tastings throughout. The tour concludes at the brewery’s on-site restaurant, where patrons will be provided with a full meal and tickets for two additional drinks apiece. Busses will return patrons to their vehicles after the brewery leg of the tour is complete.

This is irresponsible nonsense. Experts from gun enthusiasts to public health authorities warn that mixing guns and alcohol is a major cause of violence and accidental injury. As Science Daily reported: “Most scholars agree that the consumption of alcohol in America is a common precursor to a variety of aggressive acts, including assault, homicide, rape and suicide.”7

Contrary to LivingSocial’s flip huckstering, public health authorities warn that drinking doesn’t just “blow off steam.” It blows off self-control and awareness, and thus helps elevate confrontation to violence. According to data collected by the Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles: “As many as 86% of homicide offenders, 37% of assault offenders, 60% of sexual offenders, up to 57% of men and 27% of women involved in marital violence, and 13% of child abusers were drinking at the time of the offense.”8

And, according to the Centers for Disease Control:

Use of alcohol and other substances often precedes both self-directed and interpersonal violent behavior. Intoxication can increase impulsivity, which has been linked to suicidal behavior and aggression. Intoxication can also reduce physical control and awareness of surrounding risks making individuals more vulnerable to victimization.9

SHOOTING RANGE ACCIDENT


Man Dies at Maryland Shooting Rangeii

WALDORF,MD|03/03/2013

Patrick Richards, 61, died from a gunshot wound to the upper body at the St. Charles Sportsman’s Club. Authorities found Richards’ body shortly after 9 a.m. at the range, where he had apparently gone to practice with his own gun. Police said that Richards’ firearm discharged accidentally. No charges have been filed.

86% of homicide offenders were drinking at the time of the offense

“Having satisfied our appetite for action, we’ll soldier on in search of provisions... This is sure to be a day of revolutionary fun.”

LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN SEATTLE, WA

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LivingSocial’s boozy gun deals usually specify that the drinking comes after the shooting. But, given the promotional connection, participants who are attracted to the alcohol part of the event might well “loosen up” on their own with a few shots before the shooting event. Events organizers appear to have taken no precautions against this. How would they even know? This warm-up was not only possible, but likely at a Chicago event where the “meet up” point was at the Hop Haus, a burgers and beer establishment.10

Not even the National Rifle Association engages in the pseudo-hip glorification of alcohol and guns that characterizes LivingSocial’s deals. On the contrary, pro-gun experts discourage the mixture of guns and alcohol. The official NRA Gun Safety Rules warn:

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting. Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.11

EXPERT OPINIONS

Public Health Experts on Guns and Alcohol

A number of public health experts have warned about the tendency of conflicts to escalate when alcohol is involved. This risk, coupled with impaired judgment and awareness of surroundings and a loaded firearm can result in a social outing or small altercation ending in tragedy.

“Excessive alcohol use might increase impulsivity and help elevate conflict to violent confrontations. Also, alcohol can reduce physical control and awareness of surrounding risks making persons more vulnerable to victimization.”

-CENTERSFORDISEASECONTROLANDPREVENTION

“Scientists and nonscientists alike have long recognized a two-way association between alcohol consumption and violent or aggressive behavior. Not only may alcohol consumption promote aggressiveness, but victimization may lead to excessive alcohol consumption.”

-NATIONALINSTITUTEONALCOHOLABUSEANDALCOHOLISM

“The days of the Old West are behind us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still pretend to be cowboys.” LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN CHICAGO, IL

DEADLY DEAL #2

Chicago, ILThe “AK47s, Rifles and Pistols Followed By 8 Drink Tastings” deal offers, for the price of $130 per person, a day-long excursion to the Point Blank Shooting Range, where patrons enjoy 55 shots on a rifle, pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle. Coupled with shooting, the deal offers eight tastings of wine, beer or liquor, complete with custom glassware.

The deal promises participants that “The days of the Old West are behind us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still pretend to be cowboys.” This Wild West adventure begins with a rendezvous at Hop Haus, a downtown Chicago bar, where patrons are greeted and ushered onto a coach bus and transported to the firing range. Following a training session on “the basics of holding a weapon,” adventurers can select from “a variety of pistols, rifles and AK-47s” for “45 minutes of shoot ‘em up time.” Since Point Blank Shooting Range is across the state border in Michigan, a standard Illinois Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card is not required. After their clips are empty, patrons enjoy a catered lunch at the range and make their way to the Round Barn Winery, where they’ll toast to their “intrepid, gunslingin’ exploits and mingle with our fellow sharp shooters.”


DEADLY DEAL #3

Englewood, COThose who purchase the “Shooting + BBQ Dinner + Professional Whiskey Tasting” deal get a three-hour outing complete with firearms training and target-practice with an assortment of semi-automatic weapons, a barbecue restaurant meal and a tasting of four whiskeys, all included.

The day begins at The Shootist Pistol Range in downtown Englewood where patrons receive basic firearms instruction and are equipped with 50 rounds and an assortment of weapons. Among the options are a 9mm pistol, a 40mm rifle, a Taurus “Judge,” a 45 long colt, a .410-caliber and a .22-caliber. The deal says that “After doing our best dual impression of Dirty Harry and Rambo, we’ll hop into our rides” and drive to Famous Dave’s BBQ where they will chose from a spread of barbecue-style foods and, after dinner, receive a guided tasting of four different types of whiskey. Despite providing alcohol as part of the deal, the package does not include transportation between locations.

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Man Trips, Accidentally Shoots Himself To Death at Firing Rangeiii

RIDGEVILLE,SC|05/05/2012

William Rust, 51, was found at Palmetto Gun Club, dead of a gunshot wound. Authorities determined that the shooting was accidental, based on the trajectory of the bullet. Police said that evidence at the scene suggested that Rust had tripped while carrying a loaded weapon, which accidentally discharged.

The authors of a professional text on the role of human factors in handgun safety observed:

It is well known, even to many laypersons, that alcohol impairs mental functioning…The authors collectively have investigated numerous cases of unintentional shootings in which the persons involved were under the influence of alcohol…often, these were in stressful domestic situations of other situations involving confrontations with others.12

The author of The Concealed Handgun Manual, widely read among gun enthusiasts, likewise discourages mixing guns and alcohol:

DON’T DRINK OR USE DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING…People tend to do stupid things after a few drinks, so if you know you are going to a party or function where you are going to drink, leave your gun at home.13

LivingSocial’s identification of the mixture of guns and alcohol as “fun” promotes a practice that is dangerous not only to its customers, but to society at large.

“After doing our best dual impression of Dirty Harry and Rambo, we’ll hop into our rides…”

LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN ENGLEWOOD, CO

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Even without the alcohol, LivingSocial’s shooting deals draw its customers into a dangerous environment. Accidents, murders, and suicides not only can, but do happen at shooting ranges. Often.

Pro-gun author Dick Metcalf was himself “the victim of a (former) friend’s lapse in gun-handling safety several years back.”14

Writing in Handgun magazine, Metcalf observed:

…no matter how careful we are, things can go wrong. We’re all aware of this reality, although we don’t like to dwell on it or discuss it. Even the most experienced and safety-conscious shooters can be involved in an accident or be witness to the aftermath of an intentional shooting. Accidents and incidents don’t always happen to the other guy.15

Proper training can reduce the risk of handling firearms, but it is far from clear that this is offered as part of the LivingSocial deals. Promotional materials for one shooting and drinking event talk about instructors teaching “the basics of holding a weapon”16 and “the basics of shooting and how to break down an assault weapon.”17

If this is rigorous safety training, the wording does not exactly trumpet it.

LivingSocial Subjects its Customers to a Dangerous Environment

Philadelphia Man Goes on Drunken Shooting Rampageiv

PHILADELPHIA,PA|02/17/2013

Stanley Jones, 41, a security guard who has a permit to carry a gun, arrived home drunk on a Friday evening and started a fight with his girlfriend, which quickly escalated into an aggravated shooting incident. Jones fired three shots during the dispute, narrowly missing innocent bystanders in neighboring rooms, including three adults and five children, one of whom was as young as one year old.

“Make our day and join us on the range. After all, there’s nothing like taking a few shots before imbibing some quality brews.” LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN PHILADELPHIA, PA

DEADLY DEAL #4

Philadelphia, PAThe “Shootin’ + Drinkin’: AK-47s, Rifles, and Beer” deal offers buyers a day of target practice and exclusive access to the Philadelphia Archery and Gun Club’s firing range, followed by a tasting of four seasonal beers at nearby Brauhaus Schmitz, a German beer garden.

After meeting up at the Philadelphia Archery and Gun Club, each patron is given basic firearm instruction before being outfitted with three different types of semi-automatic weapons including rifles, pistols and an AK-47 military-style assault rifle. Once finished, the patrons will make the 10-minute walk to Brauhaus Schmitz, a beer garden in nearby Washington Square West. Brauhaus Schmitz staff will lead a guided beer tasting including seasonal selections for the entire group. The deal, offered at a reduced $69 per person, comes with an added group incentive – referring three friends earns a 100 percent discount.


DEADLY DEAL #5

Chicago, ILThe “AK-47s, Rifles and Pistols, Followed By 10 Libation Tastings” deal offers patrons a full day of shooting, eating and drinking, complete with take-home targets, certificates, bus service and commemorative glassware. The deal includes a target-shooting session with an assortment of rifles, pistols and AK-47 assault weapons, a catered meal and a 10-drink after-party nearby.

The deal encourages participants to “take a break from the urban insanity—and blow off some steam while you’re at it—with this fully loaded Adventure.” Customers start their day in downtown Chicago, meeting their guides and hopping aboard a bus, which takes them across the Illinois/Michigan state line to the Point Blank Shooting Range in Benton Harbor. There, they receive fundamental firearms training and are allowed to select from an assortment of firepower. Once finished at Point Blank, the groups head to the Round Barn Winery, where they can select from a wide array of spirits for their included 10 libations.

Customers interested in getting an extended experience can select a $119 VIP deal. The VIP version offers a smaller group size and a more comprehensive training session including “the basics of shooting” and instruction on how to break down an assault weapon. Following the training, deal-getters can select from an even wider array of guns: 50 rounds on a .40-caliber pistol or 75 rounds on a 9mm handgun; shots with an AK-47 assault rifle and with an AR-15 military-style assault weapon. Range time closes with a four-course meal before the VIPs head to Round Bar Winery for the standard 10 tastings and a complimentary take-home bottle of wine or six-pack of beer.

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We know, meanwhile, that inadequate training at gun ranges is a widespread problem. The authors of Human Factors Issues in Handgun Safety and Forensics devote an entire chapter to training issues and are critical of most gun training courses, including those promoted by the NRA. The text recounts how, during observation of one bona fide handgun training course, “well over 80% of the participants committed all three of the following safety errors with a handgun”:

• Failuretonotewherethehandgunwaspointed.Virtually all beginning students committed this error, not once but several times. They pointed their guns directly at other people or at walls or ceilings separating them from other rooms full of people who could still be vulnerable.

• Failuretocheckiftheirweaponwasunloaded. Beginning students invariably failed to make sure their semiautomatic or revolver was unloaded by inspecting the chamber or chambers.

• Fingeronthetrigger. Beginning students often put their finger on the trigger, because it is a natural and comfortable location. The safe place to keep one’s finger until it is time to shoot is away from the trigger guard.18

Other common student mistakes include “improper body positioning and lack of balance during simultaneous shooting practice, holding the handgun too tightly, jerking the trigger, placing the trigger finger improperly, not sighting properly, and anticipating the recoil, all of which can result in inaccurate firing or unintentional discharge of the handgun.”19

What do LivingSocial’s deals do to address these concerns? Anyone looking at the company’s website or materials will find few, if any, answers to questions by the authors of Human Factors.

Woman Kills Husband During Drunken Gun Lessonv

PARKSIDE,PA|04/28/2013

William Wanko and his wife, Michele, began drinking lemonade and vodka around 9 p.m. on a Friday night. Six hours into the drinking session, the couple decided to conduct an at-home firearms training session. William Wanko retrieved several guns from a locked safe in the basement and was showing Michele how to properly use them when Michele accidentally shot William in the upper chest, just below the Adams Apple. Police transported William to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:21 a.m.

“Take a break from the urban insanity—and blow off some steam while you’re at it—with this fully loaded Adventure.”

LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN CHICAGO, IL

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Having a few drinks after shooting may on the surface seem relatively harmless. But LivingSocial’s event descriptions and videos available online indicate that the packages they offer are aimed at creating an atmosphere of pumped up bravado. The overall experience is an invitation to bad behavior.

A LivingSocial offer in Englewood, Colorado describes the shooting portion of its deal as “doing our best dual impression of Dirty Harry and Rambo,” two notoriously violent movie characters.20 An offer in Philadelphia suggests that patrons will be “exhilarated and energized” after the shooting event. The same offer echoes Dirty Harry to say, “Go ahead: Make our day and join us on the range.”21 In Atlanta, LivingSocial describes the shooting experience as “our hearts rushing faster than a barrage of bullets.”22

In a video taken at a Los Angeles event, a man who appears to be a shooting range employee can be seen pumping up participants in a round of cheers. It is not clear what the purpose of this could be except to ramp up the macho atmospherics.23

Another video taken on a bus after a Chicago LivingSocial event depicts something akin to a drunken fraternity party, complete with singing.24

LivingSocial Encourages Potentially Violent Bravado


Drunk Man Fatally Shoots Restaurant Patronvi

BROOKLYN,NY|01/06/2013

Jason Lewis, 34, was shot in the chest by Tyrone Gainer, 27, at about 5 a.m. after Gainer entered the Country House Diner in Clinton Hill. Gainer, who was drunk and had been out celebrating his birthday, began grabbing Lewis’ girlfriend, and when Lewis intervened, attempting to avoid conflict, Gainer slapped Lewis in the face, then shot Lewis in the heart. “He just put the gun to his heart and pulled the trigger,” said Hakim Abdel, owner of the restaurant. “Two seconds – it just took two seconds.”

“With our bellies full and ballistics intake satisfied, it’s time to get our drink on.” LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN ATLANTA, GA

DEADLY DEAL #6

Atlanta, GAThe Atlanta LivingSocial deal “Shootin + Drinkin’: AK47, AR15, Pistols, Food + Beer” offers a total of 50 rounds to each patron, fired from an assortment of pistols, rifles and assault-style weapons, including an AK-47 and an AR-15. Deal-getters will also enjoy a catered meal and pints at nearby Neighbor’s Pub and take-home target souvenirs.

The half-day’s expedition begins at Quickshot Shooting Range where customers fire 10 rounds from .22-caliber, .38-caliber, .40-caliber and 9mm weapons, and from an AK-47 or AR-15 military-style assault weapon. Following the target-practice session, patrons eat a catered dinner from a local Mexican food vendor. Then, as the deal says, “With our bellies full and ballistics intake satisfied, it’s time to get our drink on.” Participants head to nearby Neighbor’s Pub for the two pints of domestic beer included in the deal.


DEADLY DEAL #7

Philadelphia, PAThe “Semi-Automatic Pistol Instruction + Tequila Tasting” deal offers patrons a half-day of shooting and drinking in downtown Philadelphia, complete with private access to the Philadelphia Archery and Gun Club shooting range, instruction and target-practice with semi-automatic weapons, and a spread of tequila, chips and salsa at a nearby bar and restaurant afterwards.

Deal-getters start their adventure at the Philadelphia Archery and Gun Club shooting range, where each is outfitted with three semi-automatic weapons including pistols, rifles and an AK-47 military-style assault rifle. With exclusive access to the range and 40 rounds of ammunition apiece, patrons will have unfettered firing time, followed by a guided tasting of three tequilas at nearby Cantina Los Caballitos.

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What could go wrong with a bit of social drinking after some pumped up gunplay? The FBI found out in November 2005, when two professional football linemen got into a fist fight at a “public liaison” event at the FBI’s own shooting range in Chicago. One player suffered a broken jaw.

The trouble began after about a dozen Chicago Bears players met up with FBI agents at the range for some supervised shooting fun. According to the FBI, the range was closed after the shooting, and the event moved to a barbecue picnic area, where liquor was allowed on a bring-your-own basis. Roughhousing then led to a full-blown fight.

The FBI announced after an internal review that it would not longer allow liquor at its shooting facility.25

The lesson was clear to the FBI and should be to LivingSocial. Guns and alcohol are a dangerous combination.


Man Accidentally Shoots Himself To Death Removing Gun From Vehiclevii

NOVATO,CA|07/19/2012

Jay Sitton, 55, was found on the ground next to his pickup truck at the Black Point Sports Club, having suffered a shotgun wound to the chest. Authorities said that Sitton had been removing a gun from the back of his vehicle when the firearm accidentally discharged. When police arrived, the door to the vehicle was open, and a shotgun with its muzzle facing outward was found inside.

“In steel-enclosed booths, we’ll fire at rotating targets and let out all that pent up aggression (take that, 295 traffic).”

LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL IN PHILADELPHIA, PA

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A Competitor with Common Sense on GunsOne month after the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the daily deals site, Groupon, issued a statement26 announcing that the company would no longer offer gun-related products or services. Citing market performance, customer feedback and a number of complaints, the largest player in the online daily deals sphere suspended all firearms-related offers indefinitely.27

Since being founded in 2008, Groupon has become a popular online purveyor of local deals, proudly offering what it calls “the best stuff to eat, see, do and buy” in cities across the United States and in 47 other countries around the globe.28

In December of 2011, after other online deal sites including Yelp Deals and Buy With Me had started to offer firearms-related deals, a Groupon spokesman said that the site would not follow suit and would not partner with any NRA-endorsed company.29

But less than a month later, gun deals began showing up on Groupon’s page – in Houston,30 Oklahoma City,31 Atlanta,32 and other U.S. cities. Groupon continued to offer such deals -- on concealed-carry weapon permit trainings and rebates on group firing-range outings -- intermittently throughout much of 2012, though not without hesitation.

As reported in the Huffington Post:

Mike Hilton, whose wife owns The Family Indoor Shooting Range in Indianapolis, said Groupon went back and forth several times in deciding whether it would feature a coupon from the range last year. In an email exchange Hilton forwarded to HuffPost, a rep expressed excitement about featuring the deal on Groupon, only to back off later. Eventually, Groupon ran a coupon for 67 percent off range visits,33 attracting nearly 200 buyers.34

That flirtation with gun offers came to an abrupt end in the wake of the Newtown shootings. In late January. Groupon spokeswoman Julie Mossler said:

All scheduled and current gun-related deals featured on Groupon North America, including shooting ranges, conceal-and-carry and clay shooting, have been placed on hiatus while we review internal standards that shape the deal inventory we feature,” said Groupon spokeswoman Julie Mossler told Daily Finance in late January. “The category is under review following recent consumer and merchant feedback.35

The gun offers have not returned since.

Advocates for sensible gun law reforms applauded Groupon’s change in position. Interestingly, Hilton, the Indianapolis gun range operator, said he would now take his business to LivingSocial.

A number of other online marketplaces have policies prohibiting firearm sales. Those include Amazon.com36 (a LivingSocial investor), Craigslist37 and eBay,38 which all list firearms and related accessories as prohibited items.


Recommendations

There are too many examples of tragedies resulting from the deadly combination of alcohol consumption and firearms use. Public health and industry experts have been outspoken about the associated risks and have warned time after time they should never be combined. LivingSocial should listen.

LivingSocial is offering its customers irresponsible and reckless deals. Placing profits over public safety is both greedy and dangerous. Our recommendations incude:

1. LivingSocialshouldstophelpingthegunindustrybyofferingdealsongunsorgunranges.Itshouldstopofferingshootingeventsofanykind.

2. LivingSocialshouldneverofferpackagesthatcombinedrinkingwithshootingoranyotherdangerousactivity.

“Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting. Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.”

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Endnotes

MAINTEXT

1. “About us,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://corporate.livingsocial.com/ourcompany.

2. “Marketing to Women: Six Ways to Increase Your Sales,” Shooting Industry, Nov. 1, 2009.

3. Massad Ayoob, “Use these dealer-proven tips to sell more SIG pistols,” Shooting Industry, October 1, 2004.

4. University of Washington, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute Info Brief, “Alcohol, Drugs, Mental Illness, and Gun Violence,” February 2013, 2.

5. “LivingSocial Deal: Shootin’ + Drinkin’ + Round-Trip Transportation,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/224494.

6. “LivingSocial Deal: AK-47s, Rifles, and Pistols, Followed By 10 Libation Tastings,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/415464-shootin-drinkin.

7. “Limiting access to alcohol reduces violence, experts say,” ScienceDaily, retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases /2013/03/130305100719.htm.

8. Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, “Fact Sheet: Alcohol And Violence,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.ph.ucla.edu/sciprc/pdf/ALCOHOL_AND_VIOLENCE.pdf.

9. Centers for Disease Control, “Surveillance for Violent Deaths - National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2009,” Surveillance Summaries, September 14, 2012, 61(No. 06);14.

10. “LivingSocial Deal: AK47s, Rifles and Pistols Followed By 8 Drink Tastings,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/147281-shootin-drinkin.

11. “NRA Gun Safety Rules,” http://training.nra.org/nra-gun-safety-rules.aspx.

12. Hal W. Hendrick, Paul Paradis, Richard J. Hornick, Human Factors Issues in Handgun Safety and Forensics (New York, CRC Press, 2008), 22.

13. Chris Bird, The Concealed Handgun Manual (Sixth ed., San Antonio, Privateer Publications, 2011), 234.

14. “Worst-case scenario: learn what to do—and what not to do—if you or a fellow shooter sustains a gunshot wound,” Handguns, February 1, 2013.

15. Id.

16. Id.

17. Id.

18. Id.

19. Id.

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20. “LivingSocial Deal: Shooting + BBQ Dinner + Professional Whiskey Tasting,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/299748.

21. “Meetup: Let’s Meetup and Shoot Guns and Drink Beer…,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.meetup.com/PhiladelphiaHappyHours/events/91400472/.

22. “LivingSocial Deal: Shootin’ + Drinkin’: AK47, AR15, Pistols, Food + Beer,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://m.livingsocial.com/cities/34/deals/352064.

23. “YouTube Video: Living Social Adventures Shooting & Drinking 2.11.12,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1yRWTT7qGg.

24. “YouTube Video: Shootin and Drinkin (A LivingSocial Adventure),” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kia6_IZu6OM.

25. “After Bears brawl, FBI bans liquor at gun range,” Chicago Sun Times, January 28, 2006, accessed May 8, 2013; “FBI to investigate Miller-Kreutz altercation,” The Associated Press State & Local Wire, November 16, 2005, accessed May 8, 2013.

26. Matt Brownell, “Gun Shop Owner Calls for Groupon Boycott After It Cancels His Deal,” Daily Finance, January 20, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/01/20/gun-shop-groupon-boycott-michael-cargill/.

27. Nate C. Hindman, “Groupon Cancels Gun Deals,” Huffington Post Small Business, January 22, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/22/groupon-gun-deals_n_2527168.html.

28. Christina Lopez, “Groupon Pulls Gun Deals From Site,” ABC News Consumer Report, January 22, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2013/01/groupon-pulls-gun-deals-from-site/.

29. Id.

30. “Online Shopping Bags: Groupon – Up to 56% Off Shooting-Range Outings in Spring,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.online-shopping-bags.com/bargains/groupon-up-to-56-off-shooting-range-outings-in-spring/.

31. “Online Shopping Bags: Groupon – Up to 64% Off Shooting-Range Package,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.online-shopping-bags.com/bargains/groupon-up-to-64-off-shooting-range-package/?PHPSESSID=9b4b3ec652f2a3e70fe20c4b17fab037.

32. “Online Shopping Bags: Groupon - Shooting-Range Packages for One, Two, or Four at Range, Guns & Safes (Up to 58% Off),” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.online-shopping-bags.com/bargains/groupon-shooting-range-packages-for-one-two-or-four-at-range-guns-safes-(up-to-5/.

33. “Groupon Deal: Family Indoor Shooting Range – Raymond Park,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.groupon.com/deals/family-indoor-shooting-range?utm_medium=afl&utm_campaign=6147061&utm_source=rvs.

34. Nate C. Hindman, “Groupon Cancels Gun Deals,” Huffington Post Small Business, January 22, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/22/groupon-gun-deals_n_2527168.html.

35. Id.

36. “Craigslist: Prohibited Items,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.craigslist.org/about/prohibited.items.

37. “Amazon.com: Weapons - Examples of Permitted Listings,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200277700.

38. “eBay.com: Firearms, weapons, and knives policy,” accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200277700.


22 | dyingsocial

ALCOHOLRELATEDINCIDENTSANDSHOOTINGRANGEACCIDENTS

i. “Witnesses: Bar Dispute Led to Fatal Shooting in NW; Redskins Player Safe,” CBS Local: Washington, DC, March 21, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/03/21/man-shot-killed-inside-car-near-farragut-north-metro-station/.

ii. “Md. Man’s Gun Accidentally Fires At Shooting Range, Killing Him,” CBS Local: Baltimore, March 3, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/03/03/md-mans-gun-accidentally-fires-at-shooting-range-killing-him/.

iii. “Shooting-range death is ruled accidental,” The Post and Courier, May 12, 2011, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20110512/PC1602/305129977.

iv. Phillip Lucas, “Man arrested after drunken shooting rampage,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 18, 2012, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dncrime/Man-arrested-after-drunken-shooting-rampage.html.

v. Stephanie Farr, “Cops: Woman kills husband during drunken gun lesson,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 28, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/delco/Cops-Woman-kills-husband-during-drunken-gun-lesson.html#9gUWb4lSvcP2JoFg.99

vi. Pervaiz Shallwani and Danny Gold, “Man Is Killed In Shooting In Restaurant,” Wall Street Journal, January 6, 2013, accessed May 8, 2013, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324391104578226241323843024.html.

vii. “Man accidentally shoots self to death at gun range,” KCRA.com, July 21, 2012, accessed May 8, 2013, http://www.kcra.com/news/Man-accidentally-shoots-self-to-death-at-gun-range/-/11797728/15623912/-/2qiu9fz/-/index.html#ixzz2SpdCruJ8

DEADLYDEALS

DeadlyDeal#1: “Shootin’ + Drinkin’ + Round-Trip Transportation,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/224494-shootin-+-drinkin.

DeadlyDeal#2:“AK47s, Rifles and Pistols Followed By 8 Drink Tastings,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/147281.

DeadlyDeal#3:“Shooting + BBQ Dinner + Professional Whiskey Tasting,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/299748.

DeadlyDeal#4:“Shootin’ + Drinkin’: AK-47s, Rifles, and Beer,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/events/468972-shootin-drinkin-ak-47s-rifles-and-beer.

DeadlyDeal#5:“AK-47s, Rifles, and Pistols Followed By 10 Libation Tastings,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/227296.

DeadlyDeal#6:“Shootin’ + Drinkin’: AK47, AR15, Pistols, Food + Beer,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/352064-shootin-drinkin.

DeadlyDeal#7:“Semi-Automatic Pistol Instruction & Tequila Tasting,” accessed May 8, 2013, https://www.livingsocial.com/adventures/146799-shootin-+-drinkin.

“We’ll toast to our intrepid, gunslingin’ exploits

and mingle with our fellow sharp shooters before

we ride back home into the sunset.”

- A LIVINGSOCIAL DEAL

learn more: dyingsocial.org

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