By Kristy Puchko | Miscellaneous | August 10, 2017 |
By Kristy Puchko | Miscellaneous | August 10, 2017 |
Walmart became the center of a Twitter firestorm when a photo snapped within one of their stores suggested guns are a must-have back-to-school accessory.
uhhhh @Walmart we need to talk pic.twitter.com/Fwb4UdXf1D
— sara (@thisbemesara) August 9, 2017
The tweet went viral, with some lamenting the state of American society where such a massive, mainstream department store would promote weapons as part of their back-to-school push. Others believed this was a hoax spawned by those damn liberals with their safe spaces and snowflakes. Regardless, Walmart didn’t make excuses.
This is definitely not okay, Sara. We’re very sorry and checking into how this could have happened. -Valerie
— Walmart (@Walmart) August 9, 2017
“What’s seen in this photograph would never be acceptable in our stores,” Walmart spokesperson Charles Crowson said in a statement. “We regret this situation and are looking into how it could have happened.”
According to CNN, Walmart’s searching for the floor display and how this shocking bit of branding occurred. Realistically, this was probably a sign snatched from the kids’ clothing section, as The Washington Post points out superhero-themed clothes are big this back-to-school season. So, while apologizing is probably a good idea to save face, it’s unlikely Walmart is to blame for anything more than having signs that can perhaps too easily be replaced and recontextualized.
Yeah. It was likely a prank, probably done for shits and giggles more than strident political inciting. But hey, at least it’s inspired such riveting political debate as this:
Why is that not okay? Not seeing a problem. Funny ad. Don't be sorry for every disgruntled eyebrow move. Focus on your target audience.
— Sergey Chunayev (@SergeyChunayev) August 10, 2017
There was a time when schools had shooting clubs, kids used to bring guns in to fix in shop class, etc. Guns have NEVER been the problem.
— Major Tom ⚔️ (@TomUpshaw) August 10, 2017
Is it too early to start drinking?