Online deals company Groupon decided last week to suspend all gun-related deals on its site, making it the latest company to cautiously back away from anything related to firearms.
“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,” Groupon spokeswoman Julie Mossler said in an emailed statement.
“The category is under review following recent consumer and merchant feedback,” the statement adds.
News of Groupon’s decision broke after a Texas gun shop owner had a deal for discounted concealed handgun license classes cancelled before its set expiration date.
“The Groupon representative calls me up and he says that ‘Well, because of the CEO, he’s decided to suspend all Groupon deals related to handguns, concealed handguns or anything dealing with guns period,’” owner Michael Cargill tells KTBC Fox 7.
“It’s as if people at Groupon equate anybody that believes in the Second Amendment with the armed monsters that occasionally make headlines and that’s not the people that sit here in our concealed handgun license course,” he adds.
After President Obama’s press conference on guns last Wednesday, Cargill said the number of people signing up for the deal went through the roof.
“[T]he deal just went crazy and it looked like we were going max out,” he said.
However, by Friday afternoon, Groupon had suspended Cargill’s deal – one day ahead of its set expiration date.
True, Groupon reserves the right to cancel any deal at any time, but the company must put it in writing first. Cargill claims he never received a written notice and is now considering taking legal action.
“If we’re able to sue, then I want to sue,” he said. “But if I cannot do a lawsuit or a class action lawsuit against Groupon, what I am asking … I’m asking everyone in the Second Amendment community to boycott Groupon, because the message they’re sending is, ‘Look, we do not want to support law-abiding citizens taking time out of their schedule to learn the safety surrounding firearms.’”
Similar deals at other Austin, Texas, gun shops have been cancelled by Groupon, according to KTBC Fox 7.
“The decision to suspend gun-related sales will negatively impact Groupon,” Eli Federman, SVP & Chief Communications Officer for 1SaleADay, told TheBlaze. “Considering the timing with President Obama’s gun-control executive orders, its safe to assume this decision was political.”
“Groupon is based in Chicago which has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation, so their corporate values seem to reflect that anti-gun culture,” he adds. “The decision to suspend gun-related deals is out of touch with the vast majority of the American people who believe in responsible gun ownership.”
A Groupon spokesperson did not respond to TheBlaze’s request for comment.
Hey! Why aren’t you following Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter?
(H/T: Gizmodo).
This post has been updated. Featured image courtesy groupon.com






















































































































Comments (261)
hempstead1944
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:50amSo much for Groupon……goodbye idiots…..
Report this comment
daniel3839
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:43amIll make sure they get any of my business and Ill pass the word. And Ill put it on my Facebook wall to.
Report this comment
geo01
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:42am.
It would appear that the CEO of Groupon would rather . . .
.
STAND BEHIND AN OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT
.
rather than the people in this country that have made his company flourish.
.
Absolutely a gutless move Mr. CEO.
.
Report this comment
TADTAD
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:41amGroupon is publicly traded? Good. I’ll short it and make some quick cash. Thanks for the heads up.
Report this comment
Rob
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:41amJust canceled Groupon and told them why
Report this comment
lizaz
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:38amAnother knee-jerk reaction!! The criminals still have their guns and always will….so far they’re winning……..
Report this comment
Rob
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:38amremove yourself from Groupon immediately.
Report this comment
NewCreationDave
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:38amIt’s a Free Country! … or is it?
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7950634/It%27s%20a%20free%20country.pdf
Please educate others!
Report this comment
LukeAppling
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:37amI have unsubscribed to Group on.
Report this comment
Beachmastermax
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:36amGreat business decision, separate yourself from 75% of the market. Genious.
Report this comment
THX-1138
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:32amI was a member.
Was.
Report this comment
BryanMA27
Jan. 22, 2013 at 1:04pmhow did you cancel your account? I am having difficulty doing so
Report this comment
AnAmerican111
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:19amNo more Groupon for this family!…………..see ya!
Report this comment
FreeUsAll
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:15amI’ve never used Groupon before. It looks as if I won’t be considering it in the future, either. These companies are like chickens rooting for the Colonel.
Report this comment
mikem1969
Jan. 22, 2013 at 11:04amNot a member and now, never will be one.
Report this comment
jdog777
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:56amI believe in the Free Market and Property Rights. Groupon owns their product and reserves the right to do what they want, as long as they follow the law. I don’t see laws broken here unless there is some sort of Contract that was signed between parties forbidding Groupon from doing this. Trying to BOYCOTT Groupon is silly as an effort to try to change there mind. With that said… refusing to use Groupon because of their positions is cool. Refocus your efforts on something worthwhile… LIKE creating a competitive GROUPON type company that is PRO-second amendment to compete with Groupon.
Report this comment
woodyee
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:49amI was a member until a minute ago. I logged on to my account, and wrote that I enjoy their service, but that I just got done reading some news about their company which bothered me. I’m not a gun owner, but their are only 10 Amendments which separate us from the government, and that supporting diminishing one right is supporting diminishing all, therefore I was unsubscribing, and not happy about it.
I just sent out 7 emails to friends and family that I turned on to Groupon.
Report this comment
dogmeat
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:43amBYE BYE! I will let everyone I know know about this.
Report this comment
frogg
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:42amPut these people out of business NOW
Report this comment
Liberalismsamentaldisorder
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:39amThis is not news.
Groupon is one conflicted entity.
They preach socialistic/communist garbage, support far-left anti capitalists and yet make their money in a capitalistic enterprise.
Liberalism is a mental disease and it’s chief symptom is rampant hypocrisy.
Report this comment
steviewonder
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:35amIronic. The only thing I ever bought from them was my concealed weapons class. Just cancelled them and emailed them why. Molon Labe.
Report this comment
IndyGuy
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:49amLOL…The thought of Stevie Wonder at target practice is hilarious…Everyone diving for cover…
Report this comment
woodyee
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:52amEver see Stevie Wonders magnificent grand piano?
Don’t feel bad – neither has he.
Report this comment
Blivit
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:34amSounds like an opportunity for The Marketplace to me!
Report this comment
Big Media Bias
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:32amYou can view Groupon offers then call the business DIRECTLY and ask for the Groupon discount. Just tell them you refuse to use Groupon to buy the service, merchandise or activity. I’ve done it. Groupon has been a far left organization since its inception. Their stock price is worthless. It’s not a profitable venture. Sounds like they are trying to get some free publicity. Most businesses will use Groupon once or twice, then learn it does not bring in the expected foot traffic. Why? Because most businesses are to far away from your location and not worth the Obama high gas price.
Report this comment
Gladileftcalifornia
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:30amGun owners this is easy…boycott Groupon.
Report this comment
batteredtaxpayer
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:28amDo like the left does,boycott those that oppose your views. It works for the left. Play the same game they do.
Report this comment
fastgen1
Jan. 22, 2013 at 10:26amWonderful, I think I will create an online gun and ammo facilitating site. Less competition.. One door closes, another opens…..
Report this comment