Bill Starks
State Researcher
Thus is how the conversation started this afternoon in Quincy, Washington at a pizza parlor where there just happened to be a kids birthday party going on when I stopped to get a bite to eat.
The day started at 7:30am in Tacoma then a breakfast stop at a diner in Cle Elum (no issues) then on to Yakima to drop a friend off to pick up his new car at the dealership (no issues). I then headed up to Blewett Pass and on to Wenatchee to check out the camp ground and get some pics (no issues). I then headed to back to I-90 via Quincy and while there decided to stop for dinner.
I had driven the main strip already and found no other decent food joint available so I enter the door and groan because I see a bunch of elementary school kids running all over the place. I head up to the counter and place an order, get my soda and head off to a secluded spot away from the masses and arcade games.
I am seated no more than 2 minutes when a male parent figure comes over with another male figure in tow and asks "What gives you the right to carry a gun with all these kids nearby ?"
I reply that management does not have an issue as they served me. You also might want to read up on Article 1 Section 24 of the Washington State constitution, if you like I can pull it up on my phone.... He gets this WTF look on his face, clearly trying to form his next sentence.
I remove a Open Carry business card & FAQ sheet from my pocket and hand them to him. I said "look, I'm one of the good guys, I'm here to eat and leave.
The manager delivers my food and I ask him if there is an issue with me and my weapon eating in his place? He says "weapon?" I stand and turn and he looks me in the eye and says "no." I thank him, look at the other 2 guys and ask if we are done? The father figure says "but what about the kids?" and the manager says yeah about them... You need to tell them to stop running and screaming all over the place.. we carry hot trays of food and someone is going to get injured. Father figure gives up and walks away. Manager heads back behind the counter.
The drive back to Tacoma was uneventful.
The day started at 7:30am in Tacoma then a breakfast stop at a diner in Cle Elum (no issues) then on to Yakima to drop a friend off to pick up his new car at the dealership (no issues). I then headed up to Blewett Pass and on to Wenatchee to check out the camp ground and get some pics (no issues). I then headed to back to I-90 via Quincy and while there decided to stop for dinner.
I had driven the main strip already and found no other decent food joint available so I enter the door and groan because I see a bunch of elementary school kids running all over the place. I head up to the counter and place an order, get my soda and head off to a secluded spot away from the masses and arcade games.
I am seated no more than 2 minutes when a male parent figure comes over with another male figure in tow and asks "What gives you the right to carry a gun with all these kids nearby ?"
I reply that management does not have an issue as they served me. You also might want to read up on Article 1 Section 24 of the Washington State constitution, if you like I can pull it up on my phone.... He gets this WTF look on his face, clearly trying to form his next sentence.
I remove a Open Carry business card & FAQ sheet from my pocket and hand them to him. I said "look, I'm one of the good guys, I'm here to eat and leave.
The manager delivers my food and I ask him if there is an issue with me and my weapon eating in his place? He says "weapon?" I stand and turn and he looks me in the eye and says "no." I thank him, look at the other 2 guys and ask if we are done? The father figure says "but what about the kids?" and the manager says yeah about them... You need to tell them to stop running and screaming all over the place.. we carry hot trays of food and someone is going to get injured. Father figure gives up and walks away. Manager heads back behind the counter.
The drive back to Tacoma was uneventful.