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No one ever accused Las Vegas of being politically correct.
Let’s take the kids to “Sin City,” hon! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Remember the short-lived campaign promoting Vegas as a kid-friendly destination? Yes, bring the kiddies to a God-forsaken flat place in the desert where gambling is legal! (I was under the misguided understanding that prostitution was legal too, but I stand corrected. Sorry Las Vegas locals. ) The casino moguls built video arcades, staged swashbuckling pirate shows, and installed elaborate pools where little Johnny could get an eyeful of fake bazooms. Big Johnny enjoyed that too.
Why travel to Paris, New York, or Venice when you can visit all three dream-vacation spots in one day? And lose your shirt at the roulette table, take in an all-nude male revue, and wonder if you can sneak little Johnny into the all-you-can-eat buffet?
The kid-friendly campaign was replaced with “What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.” Oh, and it is best to leave the kids home.
The debate over gun control hasn’t phased Las Vegas. Nope. They embrace the discussion and say, “Heck, let’s use it as a promotional tool.”
I know I am late in sharing this wealth of armed and dangerous Valentine’s Day celebration ideas for this year, but you can plan your trip with your one true love for next year.
Where else but Las Vegas can you go to a shooting range and partake in a “take a shot at love” package for Valentine’s Day? The special offer includes 50 submachine gun rounds. At another range, loving bride and groom couples can pose with an ammunition belt and Uzi. Brings a whole new meaning to “shotgun wedding,” doesn’t it? And a third (good lord, how many shooting ranges does Las Vegas have?) offers hopeless romantics the chance to renew their vows by the “Pistol Packing Preacher” and shoot a paper zombie in the face. Ain’t love grand?
These tempting wedding/vow renewal offers aren’t limited to Valentine’s Day. The shooting ranges will take your money any day in exchange for a chance to pose with your blushing bride while you hold an AK-47.
Or, if love isn’t in the air for you, you can shoot a fully automatic weapon at your ex-wife’s photograph. Nice.
Let’s not get into a heated debate about gun control here. Let’s just stand back, scratch our heads, and say in unison, “Are you freaking kidding me?”
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- As others pull back, Vegas amps up gun promotions (sacbee.com)
Robin Coyle 
Never been there, have no desire to go.
The only time I gambled was a roll of quarters on the Princess Marguarite that used to travel between Seattle and Victoria, BC. Once in international waters, it was legal to gamble. After I lost the roll of quarters, my gambling career was over!
That is about my speed too. I’d rather take that money and buy something rather than handing it over to the casino within 10 minutes of starting play.
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Las Vegas is the absolutely last place I’d ever want to go. Many say you have to go just to see the glitz but it’s that glitz and bling excess that is the very reason I have no desire to visit.
I’ve described Las Vegas as sensory overload on steroids.
Never been, but I think it would be fun to visit although I’m such a scaredy-cat when it comes to the fast life!
I’m not very happy with the way they’re handling the gun control issue, because they’re turning a serious problem into a joke. I’d love to suggest to the people running these specials that all the profits should be given to the victims’ families of Sandy Hook.
Excellent idea!
Las Vegas is a strange place. People gamble at all hours of the day, hit the clubs for “bottle service,” and go to the bathing suit optional pools. I have to say, the shopping is excellent. Expensive, but excellent.
I’m scratching myself raw, Robin!
Careful there. That could be painful!
Only been to Vegas once, but didn’t have a good time because I spend too much time in the room battling a small case of the flu. I still say that it is a place that everyone should see once because there is no other place like it in the US … and that will decide if one ever returns.
You are right. And, I’ll hazard there is no place like Vegas on the earth. Sorry to hear you couldn’t take in the full Las Vegas experience.
Yep … I was bummed not to be able to.
I’ve never been but I really would like to. It seems to be a little piece of America that is utterly separate. Cut out and doing it’s own thing.
No other place is like Vegas. It is an interesting place to visit. If you are not a gambler, there are lots of other things to do. It is also an expensive place. Even with the bad economy, prices of show tickets, meals, etc., are steep!
It seems to me that, if you and your loved one don’t get along then, what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas, which might include your loved one.
Especially if he visited the strip clubs, drank too much, and lost all our money at the Sports Book.
I suppose I should be embarrassed to admit that Mr. Weebles and I went to one of those shooting ranges in Vegas–it was our very first trip together, when we had been dating several months. We gambled, we drank, we fired M-16s. It was a good time. There are even photos of the two of us looking comically un-badass with giant submachine guns. I’ll say one thing: firing one of those bad boys makes you realize JUST HOW FREAKY those things are, in a way that you can’t fully appreciate by just seeing them on television.
That sounds like fodder for a Madame Weebles blog post! I’d love to see those photos.
My son is already six years old and he still hasn’t fired a gun yet!
I am a bad parent. I better book my flight to Vegas to right past wrongs.
And here I was going to nominate you for Father of the Year. Pfffft.
I’m working on it, Weebles! Gimmie time!
Too late. I already nominated you for Father of the Year.
Aww.
Am I too late to teach the young’un how to play blackjack?
Nope. Lots of time . . . as long as he knows how to add numbers up to 21.
I went to LV with my sister last fall. We had a good time at some of the mainstream attractions – Chris Angel, Jersey Boys, The Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor and the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. The we took a break and went up to Red Rock Canyon National Monument. That was really beautiful. But I’m not a gambler – honestly it’s boring and I don’t get bored easily. I would say, however, that it doesn’t surprise me about the shooting ranges based on a certain element that LV attracts. We saw some very interesting people…
I hear the Chris Angel show is not to be missed! Las Vegas has its share of characters, that is for sure.
I’ve been to Vegas a couple of times, and it was for work, with some time for entertainment. Definitely not the city for me. Completely fake in every sense of the word. After all, what can you expect from a city you decide to build in the middle of the desert?
But I’m not preaching here, San Diego isn’t much better in many aspects. We have plenty of strip clubs here too (with tons of military boys to enjoy them), we’re a gun loving city (again, military influence) and tons of republicans (did I mention the military?). I think a lot of people here tend to forget they live in California, because they don’t behave as the rest of the state…
Interesting. I didn’t know San Diegoians (San Diagoites?) think that way about the rest of California.
Haha, I don’t think most San Diegans realize they’re any different from the rest of California! It’s pretty redneck-like here, and I forgot to mention the thousands of churches we have around.
Church-going rednecks? Huh. Or is it church-goers AND rednecks?
haha, I think your first assumption is correct.
It’s funny. No one (especially those not from Las Vegas, I am and so is my husband) has trouble getting up in arms (pun intended) about what certain businesses offer in Las Vegas. What they never seem to understand is that the folks paying good money for all this are from elsewhere. They are tourists. Las Vegas is no better than any other city but we’re no worse either. The only difference between us and all other American cities is that we don’t hide our vices in back rooms.
As has been already stated in other comments, prostitution is not legal in Las Vegas. And the family marketing thing was a mistake. Why? Two reasons. One, the country is full of crappy parents who have no trouble leaving their kids alone so they can selfishly have a good time. Are they good parents when they’re back home? I seriously doubt it. And two, it was quickly realized by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau that a family of four spends the same, if not less, than a couple while on vacation. Even if that couple are the same parents but on vacation without the kids. It’s better business to market to two folks, than to four. Duh.
Please don’t rip apart a city that you know only very little about. If I had nothing better to do, I have no doubt that I could rip apart the area in California that you reside in.
Feel free to rip apart California. Lots of people do. Including Californians.
My apologies for stating prostitution is legal in Las Vegas. I shall rectify that pronto.
Wow! I actually have been to Vegas…to have dental work done: my dentist at the time was teaching a course on cosmetic dentistry and I got to be the “demonstration patient”–for a drastically reduced rate, I had eight teeth veneered in Vegas! I was 22. It took two trips, one of which I went alone and the other my parents came with me. We didn’t gamble; we hiked, saw a Cirque du Soleil show, ate well, and sat by a fake beach near a gorgeous pool. It is *not* a place I’d go for romance or kid-friendly fun. Somehow, the things you described do not surprise me one bit! –Alison
You are the only person I know who traveled to Vegas for dental work! How lucky for you to have all that work done on the cheap.
Vegas knows how to put on a great show. Which Cirque du Soleil show did you see?
Haha, it was quite an experience! My parents and I stayed in the Mandalay Bay and saw “O”. It was a great show. I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back, but my teeth still look good! And it truly was a good deal, well worth the long trip (I flew from New Orleans) and all the dentists watching the work be done!
Mandalay Bay is a great hotel. We’ve stayed there several times. I haven’t seen “O” but say The Beatles Love show. Fantastic!
Congrats on the new teeth!
See how I’m still upset…I would most certainly NOT take…(that’s what I meant to say)
I would not certainly not bring a child there. My Ex did when my daughter was fifteen. He went in to gamble and she had to stay outside. Anyone might have taken her. Let’s face it, it’s an adult playground.
It is an adult playground. I’m not a gambler so that part doesn’t interest me. They do put on great shows tho. How did your daughter amuse yourself while your ex gambled?
Great post, and comments – such a variety – well done 🙂 As long as Vegas keeps selling it people will keep buying it… as with so many places/things, whether it is good sense or not. Sometimes that lack of sense/taste works as an attractor… That said I had my own thoughts on the Valentines/gun thing which ran close to “you can shoot a fully automatic weapon at your ex-wife’s photograph.” Once upon a time, if you’d removed the word photograph and replaced wife with husband, I’d have spent the money on 2 tickets… cheaper than a hit 😉
Ooh . . . Ella Dee! A little pent up hostility against your ex-husband?
Thankfully, not any more but once upon a time a visit to a shooting range would have solved all my problems!
It would be a good way to vent!
And just when I thought Vegas couldn’t push the limits any further… As for “Guns & Roses” – there once was such a shop in the valley I live in- husband was the florist, wife was in charge of the ammo. It’s gone now, of course.
I would never have thought to start an ammo/florist business. The two don’t seem to go together. Interesting that the wife was the ammo lady and husband the florist. A twist of stereotypes.
I just read an article the other day that Nevada is one of the 10 most depressing states to live in. Combine that with guns, and I wonder what the suicide rate is….
One night there before catching a plane was more than enough for me. I don’t enjoy gambling, nude reviews, or even the big-name shows. If I want, I can eat at any number of 5-star restaurants in DC.
Vegas just isn’t for me.
Vegas is not for me either. We go once a year because my husband has an annual conference there. I take advantage of the pool, spa, and comfortable hotel room. The rest of it . . . you can keep.
No, really, I don’t want it. Someone else can have it . 😉
I agree that this is more of an adult playground and that people who bring their kids are crazy. I was born in LV and I never knew we had a Nude Male Review. Too bad he doesn’t mention where it is at. I’m there! Oh, and “prostitution” isn’t “Legal” in Las Vegas, it’s just recatagorized and ignored (should be legal and taxed in my opinion). As for all of the new gun ranges opening up, I’m not opposed since they are bringing revenue to LV and they are shooting at a range and not actually at someone. The writer cannot be a Native Las Vegan or this would have been a very different article. Sigh (headshake)
I’m so glad another person from Las Vegas is chiming in here. Our daughter went to UNR and made lots of friends who were from Las Vegas. All of them love Las Vegas and many returned there after graduation. I guess you have to know the side of Vegas that is more than just the strip with crazy tourists, gamblers, and new brides to be able to appreciate it for what it offers. Thanks for adding to the discussion!
it is all mind boggling(to be redundant) and ludicrous. Sad State of affairs, wouldn’t you say? Priorities of this country are backasswards
Since guns have no appeal to me, I can’t understand the draw. People are funny . . . in not a ha ha kind of way.
No laughing here. I cannot comprehend any need for a machine gun or any really. But that is my personal belief
And look at our daughters’ chosen career path.
You know what is funny in not a funny kind of way? We went to the Ronald Reagan Library when we were in LA. On display is the gun John Hinckley used when he shot Reagan. It is a .22 caliber and looks like a toy gun. Big guns, little guns . . . lots of damage either way.
I know I was thinking the same thing. However, I am not opposed to trained professionals doing their jobs. It is the idiots that get them for recreational purposes or “imaginary” I need to protect my home purposes. I better watch what I say.
Besides I think both of our girls are training with their minds — they may learn but overall that won’t be their jobs? At least I hope not.
Hmmm. Somehow I missed the all-male nude review when I was in Vegas…….lol
You missed a great show. No, not the male revue. The Beatles Love show. Come on Russel. What kind of girl do you think I am?
Once again Sin City is willing to offer anything for a buck.
A buck for some buckshot?
It boggles the mind, doesn’t it? I’ve seen some of these wedding photos, proud guns next to the proud bride and grooms’ sides. Really poetic and romantic it is…
Makes me all teary and mushy inside. Nothing says romance like an AK-47.
The sad part is, somewhere out there is someone who believes that…
And they probably have missing teeth, babies when they are 14, and drink bathtub gin. How is that for stereotyping our gun-loving friends in Vegas?
Probably not only in Vegas.
True.
you’re razor sharp today.
Why thank you.
This is just bizarre – but I guess they have to do something to make (another) billion dollars from the masses! 😉
With the economic down-turn, Vegas was hit hard. Really hard. I guess they are looking for creative (and bizarre) ways to recover.
Mind boggling.
I guess it is still the wild west in Las Vegas.
Hey, how are you feeling? Also, I “met” your friend Harry Nicholson here. He stopped by for a visit to my Strong vs. Weak Word series. Because I was curious, I asked him how he found me. He was pretty sure it was through a link (or comment?) on your blog. How cool is that?!?
Cool indeed! You should read his book, Tom Fleck. It is excellent. I helped proofread it 🙂
He mentioned you are a punctuation guru! I should let you loose on my manuscript! I’ll check out his book.
Look on his blog for details.
I’d be glad to help you, by the way.
I would be honored to have your help. But don’t you have enough on your plate already, missy?
😀
Send me a chapter at a time and it’s not such a big job.
Really? Shall we discuss this off-blog? My email address is robincoyle@gmail.com.
It’s still the Wild West in many places in the U.S. And the gun thing has been out of control for a long time. With the recent “scare” about future assault rifle “scarcity,” I fear it is and will become even more out of control. I have a son who LOVES Nerf guns. We succumbed to the begging, but now we are regretting it mightily. I have never been to Vegas and have no desire to go. There are too many “authentic” places in this world to see.
My friend didn’t let her son have toy guns until she saw him making a “gun” out of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She figured “boys will be boys” and let him have a squirt gun.
My husband has a conference in Vegas every year and I tag along. I’d rather go someplace else, but I’m happy sitting by the pool, lounging in our posh hotel room, and eating at great restaurants. You can keep the rest of it.
Yes, that Y chromosome does strange things to them. They will make anything into a gun. We try to keep it low key.
Your vacation sounds reasonable. Probably get quite a bit of blogging done by the pool–with a snack and a drink. :o)
You know, it doesn’t particularly bother me that they allow this shooting behavior. What does bother me is that it is popular with enough people to be worth good advertizing time!
Scott
There are ads on the back of cabs in Las Vegas of a scantily clad blonde posing with a submachine gun and the tag line is, “Try one.” Oh brother.
Marketing run wild. Did get some attention. So i guess it accomplished the purpose. No doubt someone did think of the Guns and Roses package – too good to pass up…unless worried about a law suit?
Never understood the “bring the kids” marketing campaign. Is there a “bring your pet” campaign in the works? – glitter nail paint and all those cute little outfits…and you don’t have to worry about children’s protective service if you leave them alone in the room.
You may be on to the next Vegas marketing campaign. Bring your foo-foo dog and you can do his/hers spa treatments! Flea dip for the dog, seaweed wrap for you!
Speaking of which, what is up with people dressing up their dog? Like the dog wants to be a bumblebee for Halloween? Really, people.
I’ve only been to Vegas once. There three nights (I think) and I don’t recall any place to shoot stuff. It was over 20 years ago though 🙂
What you shoot in Vegas stays in Vegas?
What did you think of Vegas? Are you a gambling man? Bummed you missed out on the Uzi shooting? Relieved that you did miss out?
Next, they’ll offer the chance to launch a grenade. Let’s blow stuff up! That might be rather fun!
I’d probably like the opportunity to blow a few things up!
It was back in 1990 so most of current Vegas was still in the architects minds.
I was 20 and been warned not to gamble in case they checked my ID and threw me in jail for being underage. The tour would not wait for me! How rude.
I would have liked to play blackjack for a while, but I have an obsessive personality so probably for the best I didn’t take a seat. I might still be there 🙂
Ha. That is funny. I can see you with a showgirl draped over one shoulder and a scotch in your hand while you won big-time at the blackjack table.
“Are you freakin’ kidding me?” – I am joining the chorus. It is hard to believe–sounds too weird even for a Saturday Night Live skit.
Isn’t there a reality TV show called “Redneck Weddings” or some such thing? Vegas shooting ranges would be perfect fodder for that show. BTW, I don’t “do” reality TV.
I cannot stand reality TV — some of the reality it shows it so disheartening
We have a friend who is a talented film editor. She worked on Toddlers and Tiaras. She hated the assignment because of the subject matter, but the money was insane. Those shows don’t have to pay for a set, scriptwriter, actors, make-up, stunt men, etc. It is a cash cow!
We all have to eat– but I feel so sorry for those toddlers–it is a world gone mad, I tell ya, a world gone mad………………
Agreed. The mothers of those toddlers are too much. Some of the fathers too.
Ok, as a former resident of Las Vegas, I feel compelled to defend it a little 😉 My daughter was born there, and we lived there until she was two and a half, and I found it to be very kid-friendly (obviously not EVERYWHERE, hehe). I had a really good friend there with a daughter the same age, and we used to go to the kid-friendly things in the casinos together, and had a great time, and the security is so high that we felt really safe with our little ones! Obviously when you live there, like anywhere, you know where to go and where to not go, but we were never short of great places to go and great things to do with our little ones. I’m not saying it’s perfect, and obviously we chose not to stay there long term, but I did love it there, despite all it’s craziness! I think it’s changed a lot since I was there though (was there from ’97 – ’01).
Having got that out of the way, totally with you on the gun thing. What the…?!
I know you love Vegas and I’ll allow your mother-bear defense of that crazy place. Our daughter has lots of friends from Las Vegas and they love calling it home. I can take it in small doses. As my friend said, “Four nights in Las Vegas is three nights too many.” But, it also makes for the best people watching anywhere. I love the gambling brides with their wedding party in tow.
What took you away from Las Vegas?
Of course visiting it is very different from living there, the normal neighborhoods are pretty much like anywhere else, it’s not like we lived on the strip, hehe. But yes, the BEST people watching.
Despite the good things I say about it though, we decided that we didn’t want to raise kids there, and I was kind of homesick for England, so we left!
I feel bad for all those families In Las Vegas who took a hit when the economy turned sour. It is eerie flying into Vegas and seeing all the housing developments started, and abandoned. Or, three houses in a development with the remaining lots empty.
I wonder if there’s booze at Nevada gun ranges! Champagne and guns….. perfect valentine’s day!
I just thought of something . . . the shooting ranges should promote a “Guns and Roses” package. And, given that it is Las Vegas, I’ll bet booze is involved.