Gander Mountain Promotes Gun Safety as Gun Permit Applications Soar

The same week that the Dakota County Sheriff's office released figures showing that it's been receiving more gun permits, St. Paul-based outdoor retailer Gander Mountain has announced a large marketing campaign that will spread a responsible gun ownership message.

In 2011, Gander Mountain's Lakeville store opened the company's first firearm training facility in Minnesota.

Gander Mountain's marketing campaign will feature an advertisement on the hood of a Nascar race car with the phrases “With Rights Comes Responsibility” and “Secure Your Firearms,” Twin Cities Business is reporting.  The company will also promote responsible gun ownership in newspapers, and customers will be able to take a "responsibility pledge" on the company's website.

“As a leading outdoors retailer, Gander Mountain is committed to the mandate of responsible firearms ownership, and the importance of guarding against firearms getting into the hands of the under-aged, untrained, and unauthorized,” Executive Vice President of Marketing Steve Uline said in a statement. “We believe that with rights comes responsibility. For existing firearms owners and those considering becoming an owner, personal responsibility is paramount.”

Twin Cities Business points out that the campaign could also bolster Gander Mountain’s sales of safes, locks, and other firearm storage and security equipment.