HollyMatkinApopka, FL – A Florida gun maker offered no apologies for running an anti-Antifa ad to promote their upcoming gun show appearance in Vegas (advertisement below).
The ad was the cooperative production of Spike’s Tactical, a gun manufacturer, and Pipehitters Union, an apparel company, WFTV reported.
“Berkeley, Portland, Charlottesville, Boston,” the image read, “Not Today Antifa.”
The image depicted four ballistic vest-clad men armed with rifles as they faced off with a large crowd of advancing masked “protesters” who had batons, crowbars and flashlights raised over their heads.
The viewer’s perspective was from behind the four men, who held their weapons with an air of preparedness and guardianship. Although outnumbered, the men appeared undaunted by the approaching hoard.
“We are absolutely anti-bigotry, anti-racism – all of those things are very anti-America,” Kit Cope, marketing director for Spike’s Tactical, told WFTV. “We are very pro-America, pro-law enforcement [and] pro-military.”
Cope disagreed with critics who claimed that the ad promoted violence, and said that the four men were “defenders,” who were standing up to violent protesters.
“We’re just trying to start a discussion,” he said.
“We are not advocating violence,” Spike’s Tactical and Pipe Hitters Union wrote in a joint statement to VICE News. “If you pay attention to the ad, you see two groups of people. No matter what type of description you give to the two groups, there is clearly one group of unlawful attackers and there is another group of lawful defenders.”
As expected, the ad has generated numerous calls to the business – as well as some threats – but a Spike’s Tactical spokesman said they have also received a lot of support, and that they have no regrets, WFTV reported.
In a Wednesday Facebook post, Spike’s Tactical showcased a photo of the “Spike’s Snowflake,” an AR-15 lower receiver that featured a multi-colored unicorn and settings like “safe space,” and “full libturd.”
The business said the specially-made receiver was dedicated to “the snowflakes and writer at Newsweek that we triggered with massive amounts of butthurt,” after the ad was released, according to the post.
“ANTIFA and the Liberal Snowflakes are PISSED!” Spike’s Tactical wrote in a Friday Facebook post. “However the overwhelming majority LOVE the ad. In fact, we’ve been getting crushed with phone calls and emails asking for posters…”
Despite the controversy, Spike’s Tactical and Pipe Hitters Union stood by their ad.
“We offer zero apologies to anyone that is offended by this advertisement that depicts armed, but peaceful, patriotic Americans standing up against socialist, anarchist, and communist rioters,” the companies told VICE News. “We apologize to no one. If we were to make an apology, that would suggest that we have done something wrong or regret our actions, which is not the case.”