Armed Soldier Asked to Leave His Gun Outside or He Won’t Be Served
Billy Welch was having breakfast at Nicholasville Waffle House in Kentucky early Sunday Morning. After ordering he was motioned over by the waitress who was accompanied by the manager, according to Lex 18 News.
“I got up and I walked over to them, asked them how they were doing and stuff, and they said I’d have to take my firearm outside,” said Welch to Lex 18 News. “I don’t feel comfortable taking my firearm away from me. I always keep it with me and they said, ‘it’s one of our policies.’”
Welch said he really didn’t give it much thought after that, they asked him to disarm and he refused so he left.
“You know, if I can’t have my firearm, then I can’t be here,” said Welch. “I walked inside to the other waitress. I said, ‘thank you, but no thank you ma’am. I’m gonna have to leave.'”
Afterwards Welch started hearing from people and organizations all over the country as one witness had taken the story to Facebook.
“I have a bunch of family members and friends who have been active military and in the military and retired and it hurts my feelings when people disrespect them,” said Micaela Shaw, who was sitting in a booth nearby. “I just wanted to stand up for him.”
Her post quickly went viral.
The owner of the Nicholasville Waffle House made this statement, “For many years we have had a “No Firearms” police in place in our restaurants. We continue to believe this is the best police for the safety of our customers and associates.”
Our service members deserve much more than this, they have become targets as we have seen in recent attacks such as the recent Chattanooga attack. To ask and armed soldier, to disarm himself and leave his weapon in his vehicle is like asking an armed police officer to disarm before entering the restaurant.
