2183

As I sat on the tenth floor of Straz during the week of midterms, huddled in one of the common room chairs with my daunting amount of homework and assignments spread before me, I longingly looked outside and down at Wisconsin Avenue. Suddenly, something caught my eye. A truck shaped like a billboard, sticking out in red, drove past the building. It’s shape was different than other vehicles driving down the street, however it was more the message printed on the truck that caught my attention. An electronic counter with the number “2008” was clearly displayed, and underneath it the text read: “Americans Murdered With Guns Since Tucson,” and below that a link for the cause: “FixGunChecks.Org.” 

As my laptop was conveniently sitting in front of me, I immediately logged on to the website address on the truck. It turns out, the advertising campaign is being run by “Mayors Against Illegal Guns,” a group dedicated to “Keeping Guns Out of the Hands of Dangerous People,” and thus preventing senseless shootings. As soon as you log onto the website (Fix Gun Checks), you are able to “Read the Latest Updates from The Road,” including articles from wherever the truck was last (it plans on driving through 25 states) and the attempts being made by politicians in that particular location to fight the cause. With a continuous electronic counter, a petition for supporters to sign, a link to “Donate Now,” interactive videos, and more, I found this to be an innovative and awesome advertising campaign for a very important issue, especially in America today.

Some might question whether or not Mayors Against Illegal Guns is exploiting the terrible tragedy that occurred in Arizona just a few months ago. However, I would have to disagree with these people: this coalition is merely highlighting an event that all Americans remember and relate to in order to help stop the forces that caused such a tragedy in the first place. As I watched the truck drive by, I realized that it was a perfect example of how smart advertising can support a good cause and draw attention to the things that really matter.

NOTE: At the time of this posting, 2183 was the amount of Americans murdered with guns since Tucson.