Outback Steak House To Uniformed Officer: You Can’t Bring A Gun In Here
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 9 months ago
(WRCB) – A Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer was asked to leave the Outback Steakhouse in Cleveland Friday night because he had his service weapon on him.
In a public post on Facebook, Andrew Ward shared the experience. He said he was asked by a manager to remove his weapon and put it in his vehicle. He explained that he had to have it on his person because he was in uniform.
According to the post, the manager made a phone call, and then asked the officer to leave citing company policy that makes Outback a gun free zone.
In a follow-up Facebook post, Ward shared why the manager confronted him. He says a patron at another table reported being scared for her life.
“She said police are shooting people, and she could have gotten shot in the parking lot, and the manager had to walked her and her husband to their vehicle,” Ward wrote in one of three posts he published about the incident. “We were told it was a policy they don’t allow guns – if we would have known there was a complaint we would not have went anywhere! Seriously, she was scared for her life? We were joking and laughing with our server as we ordered, then prayed. What was scary about that?”
Ward said he and his family have accepted Outback’s apology. He said they understand that a mistake was made.
“There was a mistake made and that’s it… We all make mistakes and must move forward with our lives,” Ward wrote.
Good. I don’t give a shit about his uniform. Bad, that they apologized. Bad, that they want to be a gun-free zone. Good, that cops and the rest of us are treated the exact, same way. We should be. Cops open carry, I open carry too. That’s the way it works when it works correctly.
Got it? Make Outback a gun free zone and enforce it, or ignore firearms altogether. But don’t treat people differently. That’s prejudice and bigotry.
On February 5, 2018 at 5:06 am, Nosmo said:
Useful information, in any event; it will prevent me from spending any money with Outback Steakhouse (I’ll have to do a little research and see what else their parent company owns). Too bad they don’t have the courage or integrity to post their property as a gun free zone, but that’s OK – I don’t really need the sign to remind me to spend money elsewhere.
On February 5, 2018 at 7:14 am, Jim Wiseman said:
I’m always surprised at the number of gun owners who are outraged when they read a story like this. I always say “good” as well. Now the cop knows how I feel. It really infuriates me when I see a sticker on a door that prohibits weapons except for those carried by “law enforcement.”
On February 5, 2018 at 8:42 am, FedUpWithWelfareStates said:
Their food sucks anyway…
Was just in ‘Logan’s Roadhouse’ for my anniversary, sitting in a booth across from my wife, with my G-22 holstered outside of my trousers, partially covered by my flannel shirt untucked…no problems from anyone!
Got to remember that once one passes over the Cumberland Plateau headed East, headed towards Knoxville, you are as good as being in a Criminally infested Blue State!
On February 5, 2018 at 8:48 am, Ned said:
Like most of you likely do, I avoid posted “gun free” restaurants anyway. But like Herschel I’m glad someone was exempt from their idiotic policy because of a costume.
On February 5, 2018 at 9:55 am, Unclezip said:
I too have a problem with the “shiny badges afford special rights” crap. Had a deputy show at my door one day for a conversation, and wanted to come in to “talk”. I told him straight out he would not be allowed into my home until he disarmed, as it was against my rules. He pointed to his uniform, and I pointed to the street. Conversation over. He sent his commander – same conversation, except this time I answered with a gun on my hip. He was old enough to understand my position, and left it at that. Seems the young Turks are a large part of the problem these days, as they are being taught that they are to lord over us any chance they get. And shoot us if we disagree.
Oh – and “Victim disarmament zones” – We don’t go there, even if it’s a church. If I see the sign, I flip them off and turn around.
On February 5, 2018 at 10:02 am, Sunny said:
Yeah, the customer may have been a ‘snowflake’ but I don’t blame her a bit for not wanting a cop in there who had a gun on. I don’t trust them at all.
As to the no guns policy – I’m with the rest of you. Cops shouldn’t be exempt from the policy either.
And if he had to wear a gun when he had his uniform on – go take it off. He was supposedly on his lunch or dinner break anyway. :)
sunny
On February 5, 2018 at 4:20 pm, ExpatNJ said:
Outback is a part of Bloomin’ Brands Inc in Tampa FL. They own/operate Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. You’ll need boycott only Outback; Bloomin’ is closing most of their other outlets:
“Bloomin’ Brands closing 43 Carrabba’s and Bonefish Grill locations”
http://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/bloomin-brands-closes-43-restaurants
Outback’s policies were inspired by the ‘land down-under’:
“We are an Australian-inspired restaurant … our atmosphere couldn’t be more like you’re right there in Australia … founded by those who love being courageous and having fun …”.
https://www.outback.com/about-us (accessed 02052018, abridged)
Leave feedback about their anti-gun policy:
https://www.outback.com/contact-us
On February 5, 2018 at 10:47 pm, FriscoKid said:
Ya’ll sure that trembling customer wasn’t TROLLING the LEOs and Outback’s victim disarmament policy?
Yeah, sure, maybe she’s truly a special snowflake who chokes on her bloomin’ onion if there’s a firearm within a quarter mile, but you gotta admit, using the classic LEO boilerplate “fear for my life” line AND getting the manager to escort her to safety – well, seems like it could be masterful trolling in meatspace (no steakhouse pun intended), or at least an interesting learning opportunity…
Just sayin’.