WASHINGTON – Businesses across the country are ready to stick ’em up in the name of gun rights, a window sticker that is.
A sticker declaring support for the Second Amendment has become the must-have item for like-minded shop owners across the country. And it’s the brainchild of a Leesburg restaurant owner.
The seemingly-insatiable demand to sign up for the sticker highlights a political debate that is far from resolution. And interest for the stickers has exploded since The Washington Times published a story mentioning the sticker earlier this week.
Bryan Crosswhite, owner of Leesburg’s The Cajun Experience restaurant, which is known for its Open Carry Wednesdays, founded the website in response to questions from his customers.
“A lot of patrons come in and ask us what other businesses in the area support the second amendment,” he says. “We really didn’t have an answer for them.”
On Dec. 27, 2013, he launched the online database for businesses to register as gun rights supporters and receive a decal to display their support of the second amendment.
The idea took off.
“This has gone way farther than we ever imagined,” Crosswhite says, pointing to thousands of completed registrations in the first few days.
“We’re actually talking to other organizations to help us figure out the direction we’re going to take.”
He eventually plans to launch a smartphone application for customers to search pro-gun businesses by location.
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This window sticker is designed to show a business’ support for the Second Amendment. Like a license plate decal, businesses will renew them each year. (Courtesy Brian Crosswhite)
“With the overwhelming response to 2AO Membership, we are asking you to consider making a donation (of any amount) to help cover cost of the decal and shipping,” a post on the site reads.
Crosswhite is adamant in noting the stickers don’t indicate a given business allows open or concealed carry.
“The sticker is just a notice that they support the Second Amendment,” he says.
The most passionate response has been from rural part of the country, and just days into his new venture, Crosswhite is mulling over the political ramifications.
The interest, he believes, could be transformed into election victories.
But for now, the nascent project has yet to ship the first batch of stickers.
2AO intends to have businesses renew their registration annually.
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