I have heard my all-time favorite radio commercial while living in California this time around. Favorite. Ever. It makes me laugh out loud and can turn my frown upside down...anyway, you get it, I like the commercial.

So, who is the marketing genius behind this commercial? Is it a cell-phone commerical that has a much better and less annoying jingle than "Can you hear me now?" A famous spokesperson with a slogan catchier than "Just Do It"?

It is none of those, in fact I would bet that this commerical sprung straight from the mind and the lips of the owner of this business. It's a mom and pop operation, no big think tanks necessary. They're just telling how about their family....shooting range. Seriously.

Every few months I guess in order to boost business they have a Family Fun Day at the shooting range. It seems like now would be a good time for a mother-in-law joke, but I LOVE my mother in law (Hi, Peggy!) so you'll have to read some other sucker's blog with less luck than I have. Anyway back to Family Fun Day at the shooting range.

The friendly announcer sounds like he's advertising for a circus with all his excessive glee and he encourages you to "bring the kids" because this is "fun for all ages!" In case you're not sold right off the bat on taking your kids to the shooting range they slowly reel you in with "free gun cleaning" because if your life is anyhthing like mine it's all you can do to keep your kids and your floor clean and there's just not enough hours in the day to give your gun a good clean too...

If you need more convincing there are "live demonstrations". If you find this to be a little creepy and ambiguous than you're just no fun at all. After all, what better way to encourage your impressionable young children to avoid a life of crime than to watch other people's ease and excellence with firearms? After all, you'll be right there to remind them that if they don't stop spending all their time on video games and start studying they could fall into a life of crime and being shot at. "See what that bullet can do to a paper target, Junior? How would you like that to be you?" That is nothing short of...inspirational...

Another selling point is that they will also host a "variety of gun sellers, including a Glock booth". Just one more way that you can surround your child with role models. Fine, upstanding men and women who travel the country protecting and promoting our right to bear arms so that we can kill intruders purposefully and our children as accidental by products. What's not to admire? This is a great time to teach kids the moral imperative that possessions are more important than people's lives. Besides, in these tough economic times a gun is a practical investment! Since everyone is really watching their pennies now we really, literally, can't afford to let anyone steal our stuff.

The lynch pin in this commercial that makes it my favorite is the final line, a final friendly admonition: "REMEMBER FELONS CAN'T HAVE THIS MUCH FUN!" There you have it. Indisputable proof that you're taking your children somewhere safe and wholesome. They don't even let criminal in! Don't focus on the thought that the same advertisement that is supposed to be enticing you and your children is also irresistable to felons and so maybe, just maybe, there's something twisted about teaching your children to share hobbies and interests with the sleaziest group of Americans.

So the next time you're looking for something new and fun to do with the kids on the weekend don't forget to check out your friendly neighborhood shooting range.

REALLY?!