We recently posted a brief description and photo of our last social meet up at a local eatery on another neighborhood Patch, and the story was picked up by a couple of national websites and went semi-viral across the country.
Here's the story:
2A Supporters Drop $700 "Lawful Carry Cash Bomb" on Local Eatery
This past Saturday [Jan. 11] over 50 Second Amendment supporters from the group Twin Cities Gun Owners & Carry Forum met for lunch at an independent and locally owned Plymouth eatery to show support and appreciation for Twin Cities area businesses that recognize the state's right-to-carry law and allow "lawful carry" at their establishments.The group called ahead and scheduled their lunch meet up during off-peak hours at the eatery, and it's estimated that the group spent at least $700 or more during their visit.
The group meets monthly and purposefully seeks to support businesses that allow "lawful carry." If your business allows lawful carry, appreciates loyal, law abiding customers and would like to be the recipient of a "Lawful Carry Cash Bomb," contact the group via email at info [at] Minnesota2A [dot] com.
As of January 1, the state of Minnesota had 161,535 carry permit holders and joined several other states across the country in breaking records for the number of permit holders added in 2013. MN Dept. of Public Safety records indicate that over half of the state's carry permit holders are located in the Twin Cities metro counties.
Minnesota's carry permit holders have received required training and have passed one or more background checks before being issued a carry permit by their local sheriff. The MN Dept. of Public Safety statistics show carry permit holders to be orders of magnitude more law abiding than the general population.
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The story was picked up by national websites AmmoLand.com, and then The Truth About Guns, and from there was shared and reposted on websites and talk forums across the country.
Our community-based group has been holding social meet ups around town for over a year, and we're very purposeful about seeking out and supporting local businesses that recognize the rights of law abiding citizens with "neutral" or "2A-friendly" carry policies at their establishments. This past November we estimate that our group spent about $1,500 at a Shakopee BBQ eatery, and we plan to more closely track the financial impact of our meet ups in the future.
There's even a growing trend of awareness by businesses of the the financial clout behind the state's estimated 2 million+ legal gun owners and 2nd Amendment supporters (that's over half of the state's 18+ population). Many businesses that originally posted signs banning guns following implementation of Minnesota's 2003 "shall issue" permit-to-carry law, found that the signs were bad for business and removed them following complaints from patrons.
In fact, purposefully attracting the state's legal gun owners is becoming popular with some local business that have chosen to offer discounts specifically to valid carry permit holders. Our website lists over 20 area businesses offering discounts on products and services from hardwood flooring, E-Cig supplies, computer services, massage, chiropractic, floral, nutrition and even a local psychic, among others. The listings are free for local businesses.
Our meet ups are strictly social and always family-friendly. We welcome all community members and business owners to stop by and join us any time for conversation and to get to know us. Hope to see you soon!
