In the last installment of Be Heard, I asked what discontinued piece of gear you would like to see brought back. That is a pretty broad question so answers varied widely but at least two people asked for the return of the Blue Force Gear DAP backpacks.
This week, I want to get your opinion on a marketing trend that is really gaining ground in the shooting industry – zombies. The zombie themed advertising has even caught the eye off the media recently (here is just one of many examples). It seems that there are manufacturers releasing new zombie themed products daily.
So now is your chance to Be Heard – Are zombie themed firearms and firearm accessories harmless fun or do they attract unwanted attention?
Comment below to join the discussion.
I think it a bit odd. I can see the appeal but firearms are serious things, not toys. I see the use of ‘zombie’ to mean preparing for any unknown or disaster. It seems people accept it when someone says they have guns for the zombie Apocalypse instead of public unrest or the like. It seems preparing for zombies makes a person seem less crazy than preparing for another Katrina.
It was amusing when it was a niche thing and only a couple companies were doing it. Now though? Its just a gimmick that is over the top and over used.
Personally I consider the term “zombie apocalypse” as a surrogate for pretty much any disaster – natural or man-made. It’s a convenient reference that everyone knows well, and can provide a lighthearted context to discussions when the reality might be something that nobody wants to truly discuss.
As far as the zombie-themed firearms and accessories? I got bored with it quickly. It’s harmless fun, and I don’t think it really affects anything in the long run, but I have a feeling that it has run its course and we will probably see it peter off in the coming months. At least I hope so. I really can’t stand the look of garishly decorated shotguns and ARs with electric green furniture or colorful and impractical hydro-dip.
That said, I still think the Eotech with biohazard reticle would be fun on one of my ARs. 🙂
I will preface with I am a zombie movie aficionado.
However, I agree with Ben, it [the zombie marketing] was funny in the beginning when one or two companies were doing it (Hornady comes to mind), but now the prevalence of zombie themed goods has sort of become a macabre insult to self-respecting gun owners.
For the love of John Moses Browning PLEASE STOP!
I think anything (even if it’s cheesy) that gets shooting closer to being the acceptable, mainstream activity that it once was is a benefit to all gun-owners, so I all for it.
This doe not mean i will be buying any of the zombie themed stuff myself, however.
Matt, I tend to think it’s pretty lame and unoriginal at this point. Shows how fast the internet moves I guess. But I am sure as long as companies turn a profit selling “toxic green” accented gear we will continue to see it. Personally, I’d look for other ways to distinguish my brand.