Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9308220055
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Short
"I've heard from gun enthusiasts, coalitions, concerned parents and comedians," said Allan, a manager of Wedgle's Music and Pawn Shop who would not give his last name.
He said the ad in Friday's Rocky Mountain News was a mistake. The "back to school" line was supposed to have been included in an ad for musical instruments. He said the headline in the pistol ad was supposed to read "Protect Yourself."
He said he received 400 phone calls Friday.
"One guy called and said, `My son goes to Lincoln High School. Can I buy him an Uzi?' " Allan said.
"One guy who said he didn't believe in violence said he was going to blow my head off for running an ad like that," Allan said. "You can't talk to someone like that."
Allan, 49, said some callers saw humor in the mistake and thanked him for making them laugh.
"In a month, maybe I can laugh," he said.
Allan said he may have transposed the headings on the firearms ad and the musical instrument ad. He said the paperwork for both ads was in front of him when he called to place the pistols ad Thursday.
Nancy Murray, vice president of public relations and promotions at the News, said the newspaper printed the ad as it was called in to a classified ad taker. She said the ad taker took the ad to a supervisor, but the ad was accidentally pushed through on deadline with other ads.
by CNB