- Boyert Shooting Center in Katy, Texas, outside Houston, hosted a back-to-school firearms sale just weeks after a mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart killed 22 people.
- The gun range promoted the sale on Facebook, highlighting a $999.99 (R15,000) discount on a semi-automatic .50 caliber gun that the shop called a "beast of a rifle."
- Local resident Michelle Simons, who took a photo of the range's sign, said she thought the sign was "jarring."
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A gun store in Texas in the US hosted a back-to-school firearms sale just weeks after a mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart killed 22 people.
Boyert Shooting Center, in Katy, outside Houston, posted a sign on its marquee earlier this month that said: "Back to school sale August 13th-18th Up to 50% off firearms."
The gun range also promoted the sale on Facebook, highlighting a $999.99 (R15,000) discount on a semi-automatic .50 caliber gun that the shop called a "beast of a rifle."
Local resident Michelle Simons, who took a photo of the range's sign, told KTRK she thought the sign was "jarring."
"In the current climate and in the current culture where we've got school shootings just constantly, mass shootings just constantly, it seems like a real poor choice of words," Simons said. "What does back to school have anything to do with getting guns?"
People on Twitter also criticised the sale, with one person calling it "tasteless and tone-deaf."
It's tasteless and tone deaf. Why not just post:
— FLHudy (@FlHudy) August 12, 2019
AMAZING BACK TO SCHOOL SALE ON THE GUNS USED AT PARKLAND, SANTA FE AND COLUMBINE.
Sorry but as a responsible fun owner and parent this offends.
And yes, I have been to the store. Never again.
The Boyert Shooting Center said in a statement that it was showing appreciation toward educators through the sale.
"We have friends and family who are teachers and our way of reaching out and saying thank you is by offering a summer long promotion of discounted training courses, firearms, and accessories," the store said in a statement to KTRK. "A lot of Texans are not aware, but it is now legal to conceal carry in some colleges, and for teachers in certain school districts to conceal carry as well."
Business Insider has contacted Boyert Shooting Center for comment.
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