Even the most vocal gun control advocates out there are likely to admit they don’t mind if the police carry firearms. Who could object to that? Well, with gun violence firmly in the headlines, it seems just the sight of a gun can make some people uncomfortable. According to the Post-Dispatch, a diner at a Denny’s in Bellevue, Ill., complained to a manager about guns carried by five detectives who weren’t in uniform but were wearing badges. The manager asked the detectives to take their guns out to their cars, prompting them to walk out.
Police chief William Clay then banned police on duty from eating at the restaurant, and issued a statement calling the incident a “slap in the face” and an example of “political stupidness.” Plenty agreed with that assessment.
https://twitter.com/brianb40/status/286664752812392449
https://twitter.com/jeffpomeroystl/status/286655190927540224
http://t.co/DydpqG8g Let's hope the "citizen" who made the complaint never needs the police!!
— John Schneider II (@JHSII) January 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/MattSilvey12/status/286641726930694144
NOT CLEAR ON THE CONCEPT: “@DLoesch: A Belleville Denny's gives cops the boot for carrying guns: http://t.co/m9Tfb2VV”
— Robin Lennon (@kwteaparty) January 3, 2013
My Thoughts: Stupid 101…I wonder if he would want the Detectives in if he were being held hostage. As for the… http://t.co/JWBD7Sov
— Daniel Hines (@AmericanSeniors) January 2, 2013
Officers are "permitted" to carry while in the restaurant. My business they would be "welcomed" to carry. http://t.co/tjEEx7KS
— Arthur de Vries (@Bop_deVries) January 3, 2013
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The manager claimed there was a sign on the door indicating that only uniformed officers were allowed to carry firearms. Perhaps another sign is in order.
https://twitter.com/AppFlyer/status/286625734305394688
(Hat tip: @Lockestep1776)