CHICO, Calif., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- A California gun range is drawing controversy with a billboard bearing the image of Santa Claus toting an automatic rifle.
The billboard outside Down Range in Chico features Santa Claus wearing sunglasses and holding an automatic weapon with the tagline, "We build AR's for Santa."
"As a teacher, I would not want my students to see that. I don't think you need to put out that as Santa has a gun," resident Sara Welday told KNTV.
Santa's packing heat! What do you think of this billboard put up by a California gun range?? pic.twitter.com/YrRNBp8y7y
— Fox&Friends Weekend (@ffweekend) December 20, 2014Tom Imhoff told KNVN-TV he finds the billboard sad.
"The idea of this symbol of joy and giving holding an assault rifle it's just so contradictory," Imhoff said. "You almost don't know what to do with it."
Steve Dyke, co-owner of Down Range, said the sign is meant to be fun.
"Obviously, Santa Claus is synonymous with Christmas...We actually thought [people] got a kick out of it, thought it would be good and other people would think it was funny," he said.
He said he does not see a problem with associating St. Nick with firearms.
"Well, you know, some people get toys and stuff like that for Christmas. Other people -- when I was growing up, I got guns from Santa Claus. I mean, it's just a matter of where you're from," Dyke said.
Dyke said the sign will come down after the holidays, but the store owners are already planning possible follow-up ads featuring Cupid or the Easter Bunny.
