Osseo Gun Club apologizes for email promoting magazines for 'trip to the hood'
A gun shop in Osseo is under fire for an email it sent out promoting ammunition for customers' "trip to the hood."
The Osseo Gun Club and Pro Shop sent out the email last week that said "Remember we have 30 rnd mags for your trip to the hood."
It quickly drew anger from many on social media, with some saying the shop has a history of discrimination against minorities.
The Osseo Gun Club and Pro Shop has since apologized for the email, saying it was "inadvertently" sent without their approval.
"This email was completely unacceptable and goes against our core principles. Once we became aware of the situation we took immediate corrective action with the employee and revised the email," Osseo Gun Club owner Chris Williamson said in a post on the business's Facebook page Wednesday morning.
"In no way was this email appropriate and we do not condone this," Williamson added. "Our sincerest apologies for this incident during these unprecedented times, please know we have taken steps to ensure something like this does not happen again."
In a post on the page less than an hour later, Williamson said, "This has deeply upset me since I take pride in welcoming diversity in our society and being raised that all people from all walks of life are equal no matter someone’s background. Knowing we had an offending email is personally upsetting and please know we have taken corrective action."
"Again I want to convey my deepest apology in this matter," Williamson added.
But the apology wasn't enough. The Osseo Police Department at 12:53 p.m. on Thursday said it "received information" that a protest would happen at the gun shop between 1:30-3 p.m. on Thursday.
"We are asking that the public stay away from the area ... so we can protect the First Amendment rights of those that wish to have their voices heard," the alert said.
The department said there will be a police presence in the area to "make sure that that right is protected."
"We are also aware that we have a duty to protect the rights and property of all persons in Osseo and we intend on making this a successful event for all," the department said, adding, "We ask that everyone in Osseo respect those that have a voice, and we are asking those that have a voice to respect the rights and property of those that live and work in Osseo."
The Osseo Gun Club opened in 2014 and is described on its website as a women-owned, family-friend gun range that also offers firearms classes.
