[IronYuppy]

I'm still furious they never responded to my inquiry. Is customer service so damned difficult these days??


XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX CANADA


February 6, 2008


Media Liaison/Communications Coordinator
Springfield Armory
420 West Main Street
Geneseo, Il.
61254 USA


Dear Sir or Madam:

I am a dual American/Canadian citizen presently living in Canada for employment reasons. I have a summer home in Moscow, Idaho. My son is a Marine stationed there because he couldn’t get into the USAF. Anyway, I am not presently an NRA member, but I belong to Canada’s counterpart organization, the NFA. I look forward to receiving every American Rifleman when my son is done with his copy and (eventually) sends it my way. Although I presently do not own any of your hand-guns, I have owned a Springfield Armory M1 Garand for approximately ten years and it has worked flawlessly. I have also owned three examples of your GI .45 in the past. The M1 proved its worth to me last June, when I was able to use it to fell a rutting two-ton walrus bull that had threatened my family, with one shot.

As a prospective repeat customer, I am writing regarding the ad campaign you are running for the XD 5” Tactical hand-gun, specifically the full-page ad “inspired by the human hand” running in the most recent American Rifleman magazine.

My question is not about the firearm itself, but the composition of the image in the ad. As you may know, some elements of the homosexual community use the ring finger of the right hand as the finger on which to display a wedding band. As I understand it, that is also the chosen ring finger for Greeks and some other European cultures, who coincidentally also support gay marriage. The man’s hand in your advertisement clearly displays a ring on that finger. I assume he is not gay as the hair on his hand hasn’t been removed, so I’m confused.

Can you please tell me your reason for displaying the image thusly? I would like to know your policy on marketing to special interest groups. I know what you’re reading might come across as some extreme paranoia on my part, and you’d be somewhat justified in thinking I was pretty crazy for even asking this, but are you targeting the homosexual market with your fine product line? Is the XD a “gay gun”? I know how completely and utterly moronic that must sound, but I am compelled to ask.

As someone who works hard for my money, and as someone with very deep-rooted values, I like to know that my money is being spent on companies that share my value system.

I look forward to your response.


Yours truly,




Dr. XXXXXXXXXXX, M.D.


(note: I always wanted to be a doctor)