Gunning for Attention, Sign Spinner Is Shot Glances on Lake Murray

Sign-wavers on street corners are a common sight in La Mesa. Tax services and restaurants are the typical marketers.

But gun sellers?

A barefoot young woman who gave only her first name—Sabrina—danced with a red-and-white pointer sign Friday afternoon on Lake Murray Boulevard's grassy median between Dugan Avenue and El Paso Street.

Her GUNS sign directed attention to Wilde Built Tactical, which sells high-powered weapons a block away from Murray Manor Elementary School.

The owners of the store in the Lake Murray Shopping Center had the same polite but persistent response to questions about Sabrina's promotional role:

"We're not going to comment on that."

On Dec. 14, the night of the Newtown shootings, the owners (both in law enforcement) expressed sorrow for the massacre, with one saying: "My heart weighs very heavy for them."

He also defended the location of his shop, saying: "I think (neighbors) should feel safe knowing that two law enforcement officers operate this store."

Sabrina wouldn't share details of her sign gig, other than to say she wore sunscreen and had been out for several hours.