By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
Gladwell Orthodontics of Wake Forest, North Carolina, along with the Youngsville Gun Club and Range, gave customers a free Glock 19 pistol or a gun range membership at the Youngsville Gun Club and Range when they signed up for Invisalign treatment.
The deal was not for everyone. The two-day event was held on November 8th and 9th and was only available for people on the Gun Club email list.
Kurt Lieberman, the owner of Youngsville Gun Club, said that customers who opt into the deal would have to come into the store and complete the usual paperwork, have a valid I.D., pass a background check, be a legal citizen, and be eligible to possess a firearm before receiving the pistol. If the person chooses the Silver membership, it gives them free lane time and discounts on shooting gear.
Dr. Gladwell, owner of the orthodontics office, stated, “Not everyone that comes into the office is going to be eligible.” The offer is marketed for the Gun Club. The promotion is non-transferable, and the patient getting the Invisalign procedure must be the eligible person.
Dr. Gladwell said this promotion has received much attention, and he wishes other charity promotions he’s had were this popular. Gladwell spoke with local news, WRAL, and said:
“This promotion has gotten a lot more attraction and attention than, you know, we ever thought it would… We would love it if people could pay attention to some of our other charitable donations and campaigns. Last month, we did $50 for every patient that got started to the Mitchell 10Penny Fund to support cancer and families affected by cancer.”
Align Technology, the manufacturer of Invisalign, had this to say about the promotion:
“Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign® brand clear aligners, recently learned of a customer’s promotional advertisement that offers a free handgun or gun range membership to qualified new patients who begin Invisalign treatment. Invisalign-trained doctors are independent practices, and Align was not involved in the development or approval of this promotion by the dental practice and only learned of it after the fact. For more than 25 years, Align has been helping doctors transform smiles and change lives through healthy, beautiful smiles using Invisalign aligners, and this promotion does not reflect our brand purpose.”
Dr. Gladwell said business was brisk due to the promotion.
While some people expressed concern with the promotion, both parties said they would work together to keep things safe and legal.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response.
His writing has appeared in RECOIL, www.floridajolt.com, The Counterterrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Soldier of Fortune, Homeland Security Today, Off Grid, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].