Because of Winn-Dixie

I am a regular at the nearby Winn-Dixie supermarket and much prefer it over the other big Florida chain, Publix.  This morning, I stopped there to pick up some meat for dinner.  Upon entering the store I was met with a toy display of dolls, cars, trucks, and half size M16s.  I was immediately turned off by the display because it appears W-D is endorsing gun use by offering up toy assault rifles, advertised as "machine guns", as an appropriate "toy" for a youngster.

As I was checking out I asked the cashier to let her management know of my concern that these are inappropriate items to be marketed for children.  A man, who overheard me tell the cashier I felt it was "disgusting" hollered at me, "Why?  Are you anti-gun?" to which I replied I was and that our children are exposed to too much violence as it is.

Upon returning home, I sent the following to Winn-Dixie via their customer comment page on their website:

I am a regular shopper at store #656 and really enjoy the selection and prices Winn Dixie offers as well s the Fuel Perks card.  This morning, however, I was quite put off by one of the products you are offering for sale--namely a toy machine gun in the toy kiosk near the front entrance.

We have more than enough violence in our society and our youngsters are exposed to much more than they should be.  Don't get me wrong.  I grew up in the 1950s and played G.I. Joe and cowboys and Indians with my buddies.  The most violence I recall was seeing the Lone Ranger shoot a gun from an outlaw's hand.  I had no video games to play.  Nowadays, though, there is massive violence portrayed on TV and the movies; uber-violent video games; and mass shootings--from Columbine, through VA Tech, to Newtown, to the D.C Navy Yard, and beyond.

As a person who has seen war firsthand in Vietnam and who is saddened at the daily violence I see on the news and in the local newspapers, I feel your fine company is sending the wrong message by offering these violence-based "toys" for sale in your stores.  Winn Dixie is much better than that.

Thank you for your consideration of my concern.  I will remain a loyal customer.

Hopefully they'll hear and act on my concern.