GUN RIGHTS ACTIVIST TAKES AIM AT ONLINE COUPON GIANT GROUPON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Central Texas Gun Works Michael Cargill, Owner http://www.centraltexasgunworks.com

GUN RIGHTS ACTIVIST TAKES AIM AT ONLINE COUPON GIANT GROUPON

An Austin-based concealed handgun instructor has called for a nationwide boycott of Groupon, the popular deal-of-the-day website that offers discounted gift certificates on behalf of local businesses.  Michael Cargill, the owner of Central Texas Gun Works, says his contract with Groupon was abruptly terminated Friday morning, after Groupon founder and CEO Andrew Mason decided the company would no longer associate with any business related to firearms.

Cargill, who ran for Travis County Constable (Precinct 2) in the 2012 Democratic primary, says he was astounded that Groupon executives might object to promoting the Texas concealed handgun course--a course designed by the Texas Department of Public Safety and mandated by state law for anyone wishing to obtain a Texas concealed handgun license.  "What reasonable person could have a problem with gun owners choosing to undergo safety training and proficiency testing?" he asked.  "It's as if the people at Groupon equate anyone who believes in the Second Amendment with the armed monsters who occasionally make headlines."

When his appeals to Groupon fell on deaf ears, Cargill settled on an alternative tactic.  In his words, "If the executives at Groupon want nothing to do with supporters of the Second Amendment, supporters of the Second Amendment should want nothing to do with Groupon.  That's why I'm calling on every American who believes in the right of safe, lawful gun ownership to join me in refusing to hand over even one cent to an organization that clearly has no respect for those of us who--whether for recreation or personal protection--choose to exercise a constitutional right."

Cargill says he will coordinate with the many gun rights organizations with which he has longstanding relationships, to ensure that the boycott extends beyond the Lone Star State.

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ABOUT MICHAEL CARGILL - Michael Cargill is a certified Texas concealed handgun instructor and a small business owner who is active in both state and local politics.  As an advocate for fair-minded gun laws, he has become a fixture at the State Capitol and on local television.  In 2012, he ran in the Democratic primary for Travis County Precinct 2 Constable and forced the incumbent into a runoff race.  During the 2012 presidential race, he served as a featured speaker at a rally for Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson.