ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604080059
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BALTIMORE
SOURCE: Associated Press
Lawyer Susan Wolf couldn't believe what she found on the back of her Burger King receipt - a coupon that said, ``Good for one free box of ammo with gun purchase or 10 percent off.''
``I was appalled,'' said Wolf, who found the ad from a Catonsville sporting goods shop while eating lunch.
After hearing about the advertisements Friday, the restaurant chain's corporate headquarters told the owner of the Baltimore franchise to hold the coupons.
``It's not the image that Burger King would like to be associated with in any way,'' said corporate spokeswoman Kim Miller, who noted that the chain sponsors a national alternative school for ``at-risk'' teens - ``oftentimes the very kids who end up using handguns.''
The company made the decision after receiving a call from a reporter for The (Baltimore) Sun, to whom Wolf brought her receipt.
Baltimore police weren't thrilled either.
``Somebody at Burger King must have lost their mind,'' said Officer Gary McLhinney.
The Baltimore restaurant's manager, Michael Sharifi, said he had not received any complaints about the ad other than Wolf's.
``If there is a problem, it's with the Constitution, not the tapes,'' Sharifi said. ``I'm just someone who sells burgers, not someone who tells you what kind of message we send.''
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB