Advertising company pulling gun store's controversial '4 Horsemen' billboard
NEWS CHANNEL9
A gun store's controversial advertisement depicting four Congresswomen as the '4 Horsemen' and calling them idiots is being removed.
That's according to a Facebook post by Allison Outdoor Advertising.
The billboard advertising Cherokee Guns depicts Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.
The sign says above their photos, "The 4 Horsemen Cometh are Idiots," and below says "Signed, the Deplorables."
The owner of the store told us Tuesday that the ad had only been up for a few days, but it's already brought him more business. They've even started selling a bumper sticker version of it.
As of Wednesday at 5 p.m., the advertising company's post said the advertisement was coming down.
The post's edit history shows more information was originally shared about the decision at 12:49 p.m.
"For all those who has concern over the Cherokee Guns Artwork. The board is coming down. This Creative never came on managements desk for approval. We understand this is a delicate subject and we greatly apologize for it ever going up."
On Tuesday, NewsChannel 9's Bliss Zechman was in Cherokee Guns as phones rang off the hook. Doc the owner took calls.
"If we were still in North Carolina, we would have to make a trip to come purchase some firearms from these guys and support them, because that's amazing," said one caller.
Others, like resident Randy Barnett, felt the need to speak out against the ad.
"I was just appalled by it. I've lived here all my life and I think it's divisive," says Barnett, "I hope it's not who we represent now."
Doc told us Tuesday that race had nothing to do with the advertisement. Instead, he says it's mean to support President Trump and advocate against socialism.
"I don't care if it's four white women, four white guys who have their view - they'd be on the billboard," he told us Tuesday.
The billboard drew national attention as well, with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence sharing a Facebook post, calling it 'disgusting,' 'dangerous,' and condemning 'threats against members of Congress.'
NewsChannel 9 has reached out to Cherokee Guns and Allison Outdoor Advertising for comment, but have not yet heard back.