I am a big fan of Mountain Equipment Co-op. This Christmas I did a lot of my shopping at the co-op, and last month I found an awesome deal, a cozy MEC fleece jacket for 50 per cent off. Change is coming to the popular brand and in my opinion it’s for the good.
MEC sells products made by Vista Outdoors which also happens to be the biggest manufacturer of guns, assault-style weapons and ammunition in the U.S. An online petition with over 6,000 signatures asking MEC to drop its vendor agreement with Vista has worked.
MEC announced it will no longer buy from Vista because of its connection to gun manufacturing and I applaud it for doing so.
Who could have predicted that a horrible mass shooting of 17 innocent people in Parkland, Florida would reverberate all the way to the Canadian retail sector? The sleeping consumer is finding a conscience and this could be the start of a mass consumer backlash if the momentum continues.
Enterprise (my rental car company of choice) will no longer offer discounts to NRA members. Right on Enterprise, you have my continued loyalty because I don’t want any of my money to profit an organization that supports the use of weapons that kill innocent children.
I like to shop local, but now that Tsawwassen Mills and Tsawwassen Commons are open, local means shopping at American-owned chains. I am referring to mega retailers Walmart and Bass Pro Shops.
Walmart has acted fast since the recent mass shooting. It will no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 and will not sell toy guns marketed to children. One baby step for mankind.
Bass Pro Shops is under pressure to also change its gun policy now that Dick’s Sporting Goods, its biggest competitor, announced it will no longer sell assault-style weapons and capacity magazines. At the time of writing, Bass had not responded to its critics.
Knowing that Bass Pro Shops is selling assault weapons and guns to people as young as 18 in the U.S. means I choose not to shop there. A quick look at its website shows 710 gun options, including a selection of assault-style weapons.
I recognize my consumer choices will not affect the profits of Bass Pro Shops here in Tsawwassen, but I can use my voice and my cash to make a point and educate others.
I am sick of watching news stories about children being gunned downed in their schools. I have family and friends who work and attend schools in the United States and I worry about their safety. Our family travels to the U.S. regularly, it is one of the joys of living in Canada. It’s in our interest to do our part to help bring change, no matter how insignificant it might seem.
Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We can make a difference, even here in South Delta, one dollar at a time.
Ingrid Abbott is a freelance writer and broadcaster who always tries to buy responsibly even though it’s not always possible.
