Gun Ornament For Christmas Sparks Controversy
POSTED: Tuesday, November 28, 2006
UPDATED: 4:40 pm EST November 28,
2006
A company is under fire over a plastic, gun-shaped Christmas tree ornament that some groups say glorifies violence, according to a Local 6 News report.
An antiviolence group in Philadelphia said Urban Outfitters' "glitter gun" ornament is making money off the misery of the city since 360 people have been murdered this year.
Most of the deaths in the city have involved handguns.
Protestors gathered outside the Urban Outfitters store in Rittenhouse Square and handed out flyers and talked to a crowd of onlookers about their disgust for the product.
"At a time when the fabric of the city is bleeding from gun violence and death, particularly young people, I think it is totally irresponsible of this company," said Todd Bernstein, who supports to boycott.
Urban Outfitters said that the ornament is simply edgy and ironic.
"I am outraged, and every parent should be outraged as well," shouted a protestor standing outside the store, who lost her son to gun violence.
Urban Outfitters told said they didn't have any gun ornaments in the store on Monday because they had already sold out.
Urban Outfitters has yet to comment on the protest; however they have been criticized for selling controversial merchandise in the past.
The $6 ornament is available at stores across the U.S., including stores in Florida.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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