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* Forwarded by John Erland (1:203/8055.12)
* Area : TALK.POLITICS.GUNS (usenet)
* From : kodiak@primenet.com, 1:203/2 (05 Jun 96 22:22)
* To   : All
* Subj : Kicked out of Denny's
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This is a long story, but it is one that I need to tell...
A few nights ago, I went into Denny's Restaraunt located in the 7200 
block of East Main Street in Mesa Arizona. I always carry open and choose 
to do so even though I have my CCW and am a CCW Instructor. I am not a 
grungy looking fellow, just ugly..8*) I looked before I went in for signs 
and I called before I went in to see if they served alcohol...Neither 
were present.. I was promptly told by a waitress (Helen) to step outside 
with my firearm and leave it in my vehicle..I chose to leave and call the 
manager the next day. I first called the NRA/ILA for advice..They said to 
call Denny's corporate office which I did. (1-800-733-6697) I spoke with 
a gentleman named Orlando who told me that that Denny's belongs to a 
franchise called Huntington Restraunt Group in Scottsdale Arizona
(602-483-0008). I called the Denny's first and spoke with the manager
(Julie 602-396-8217) She informed me it was her own policy because guns
cause violence and she had a bad experience with a customer who walked in
with one in his waistband and some customers walked out...(My gun was
holstered) She then tried to get into a gun control debate which I refused
to do. She said she ordered signs prohibiting guns, but hasn't received 
them as of yet but she will allow NO guns in her store. I then called 
Huntington Restraunt Group and asked to speak with the President. I was 
told to tell the cust svc rep my story and she would relay it to the 
President. About 1/2 hour later I got a call from Rich Beattie who told 
me that it is up to the manager to let guns in or not. He was also 
(my observation) anti-gun, but I quoted some Az law to him and he really 
couldn't argue. I told him I am on the Internet, I am a member of Arizona 
Arms and the Arizona Rifle and Pistol Assn and I would tell them my story..
He asked me to not write this on the Internet...I told him I wanted something 
in writing from him allowing law abiding citizens to be able to carry in his 
Restaraunt. He refused..Said he would allow *me* to do it only! I said I was 
not looking out for my interests only, but those of ALL law abiding citizens.
..He still refused and said he will wait for the signs from Denny's 
corporation and that is where the conversation ended....I personally 
am boycotting ALL Denny's Restaraunts just for this reason...I'm asking 
for my fellow gun rights people to at least call one of these places and 
express your concern about our rights being denied.. Please do not get 
nasty with them or threaten them in any way...They will lose more 
customers than just a few that walk out seeing a gun strapped to 
someone's side..(BTW, open carry is very legal in AZ)
Thank you for reading this long post....
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             "The Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms
                        SHALL NOT be infringed"
                          LIVE FREE OR DIE
 kodiak@primenet.com                                      Member: NRA/ILA
 http://www.primenet.com/~kodiak                                  AZ ARMS
 Paul Thomas                                                      AZR&PA
 Certified NRA Firearms Instructor
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