Carrying a Gun into a McDonald's
Hixson, Tennessee
We let our son eat a few bites of food and then let him go play. While we were eating we noticed that the child that belonged to the man with the pistol was aiming a play gun at our son and scarring him. The whole situation became intense to us as we don't allow our three year old son to play with plastic guns as they in general are not a toy. I am all for protecting yourself but believe that there is a time and a place to have to carry these things. Evidently the boy wasn't being taught that the gun was not a toy and that they weren't for protection because he continued to point the play gun at my son.
I decided that I didn't want to approach the dad for fear of the fact that he could be some crazy that you hear about on the news that would shoot me. I got up slowly and walked out of the play area and asked if I could speak to the manager. He took his time to get over to me and I told him about the situation and how uncomfortable it was making my family. I told him about the man having the gun attached to his belt and that his son was aiming a play gun at my sons face. I let him know that this type of thing wasn't something that I expected to encounter when visiting this restaurant.
When I was finished talking he walked over to another employee and asked if there was a rule against bringing outside toys into the play area and she said that there was nothing stating that at all. He said that he would make up a rule that said that and would go talk to the man about it. After I walked back in and sat down the manager went to the table behind us and asked the man if he had to have the gun in the area his reply was " I can carry this wherever I want". The manager let the whole situation settle at his words. He didn't ask the man to have his son take the fake gun out of the store all he would have had to say was making other parents and children uncomfortable but he didn't.
We took about two more bites of our food and decided that we needed to leave. Our son was very upset that the child had continued to put the toy in his face and act like he was shooting him. These are supposed to be good times for a child memories of going to play and having a good time not memories of children putting toy guns in their faces. There is enough violence and heartache in this world without adding to it. So beware of the policies that public places like McDonald's have in place about these kinds of things you never know when it may happen to you.
Published by Terra Husser Farrell
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI can definitely see the issue with the way the child with the toy gun was acting. That is unacceptable. However, there is nothing wrong with somebody legally carrying a holstered firearm. I carry mine everywhere I go (even with my two daughters). What is truly irresponsible is to own a firearm and
1. not carry it (criminals count on you being unarmed - that's why we refer to gun free zones as "victim only zones").
2. Leave it in a vehicle where it can be stolen and used in a crime.
The fact that you did not feel comfortable asking him to deal with his child's behavior stems from your own issues, not his. He could just have easily been a psycho with a concealed gun, or knife, or ballpoint pen. Grow up and say something.
Incidentally, I carry my firearm concealed, as do the vast majority of people who carry one - you talk to people all the time who are carrying a gun and you have no idea (which is the whole point of concealed carry). This guy is blunt en
The civil right of bearing arms for personal self defense comes first vs another person feeling "uncomfortable" in public due to the 1st party exercising his or her right to keep and bear arms. Get over it and get use to it, my advice to you.
No I was not judging someone by how they look. I have tattoo's and peircing's also. I also believe in gun rights and gun rights are all well and good but I do not believe that a childrens play place in the middle of a small town is the right place for your gun, my gun, anyones gun. I was simply stating that my son also has the right to be protected from idiots ! The ones who teach there children that a GUN IS A TOY!!! This is just facts! A GUN IS NOT A TOY and I do NOT want my five year old to have a real or toy gun shoved in his face. PERIOD
I know there is two sides to every story, but i was in a situation today at Mcdonalds. I am a everyday law abiding citizen that likes to exercise my Second Amendment Right. I walked into the store, let my child go play, ordered my food and then was asked if i had permit or was a law officer. I replied, "No I am not, why do you ask?" The employee told me that i was not allowed to carry my firearm, I asked where is the sign stating that "Firearms are not allowed" he said, "the manager, told me to tell you to that your gun is not allowed due to security reasons. If you do not remove it or leave, we will call the police." I explained the Second Amendment states i have a right to protect myself and the right to bear arms. Also that New Mexico is an Open state that allows open carry of a visible firearm (not concealed) with a minimum age of 19yrs old. But they still did not care, and kept to what they told me. Due to my nature of being a father, i went out to my car and put my gun int he glo
Safety and Security? So when a criminal comes through the door with their own gun I guess you'll kindly remind him that McDonald's is a "safe and secure environment" and the criminal will leave quietly...
You are judging someone solely by the way they look. Are you aware that what he was doing is perfectly legal?
I am guessing you are an obamanite and your kid will suffer many beatings growing up!
It sounds like he needed to be reminded that McDonald's is a fun place for children, and their safety, security, and enjoyment is more important than him.
This is a thought-provoking article. Although the Second Amendment gives Americans the right to bear arms, there is something to be said about idiots like this guy carrying a gun into a restaurant full of children. And I know all the gun-nuts out there will start screaming, but asinine behavior needs to be called out. There was absolutely no reason for the man to have the gun in a McDonald's. And I don't want to hear no "what if" b.s., either. The chances of that gun getting taken from his possession (and somthing really terrible occurring) are just as great as his ability to supposedly be able to "protect" himself from whatever the hell he was protecting himself from. I grew up in a home with nearly 50 guns in it. I know how to carry, clean, and fire one properly. And I still don't feel the need to carry one into a restaurant. This guy obviously is dickless; otherwise, he would have left the gun in his vehicle or at home. Compensation effect....