Changing Laws for Gun Control: A Signage Opportunity?

Where many saw a political debate stirring after a law permitting licensed open carry in Texas took effect on January 1, the team at the SpeedPro Imaging in Irving saw a business opportunity.

The law allows private businesses to prohibit concealed and/or open carry on their premises if they post strictly regulated signage at the location’s entrance. Signs must contain exact wording in both English and Spanish, with 1-inch-tall block lettering in contrasting colors.

SpeedPro Irving’s operations manager suggested taking advantage of the debate – the change will affect nearly one million Texans who already held concealed-carry licenses – to stir up some revenue, so Marketing Manager Cindy Perea sent an email blast to their client list offering to print signage for those wishing to prohibit open and/or concealed carry within their place of business.

“We had some good feedback,” she says, “but someone emailed back right away and said ‘Hey, I’m disappointed in you.’” Though Perea expected some controversy, she’s focused on SpeedPro’s business goals: “If we can provide this service, we are going to do it.”

The shop has already churned out a batch of 100 20 x 24-inch posters on 3M Controltac print film 40C and Scotchcal 8509 luster laminate with their HP Latex 360 printer for a local charity partner. Perea adds that the options for the signage are broad: They’re offering to print on vinyl, Coroplast, and aluminum.

Perea’s advice for approaching these types of sensitive issues? Take a neutral stand. “Reach out. Some people don’t know about the opportunity or that they have a choice,” she says. And after hearing a story of a business posting 8 x 11-inch posters that they printed themselves, Perea felt both a responsibility and an opportunity to educate clients; warnings with small font sizes aren’t enforceable. “We want to give our clients something that will be in regulation. They should be advised what they can and cannot put up.”