… which is probably just as well, considering that their fried catfish was so bland and grease-soaked, I am honestly not sure if it actually was catfish.
At any rate, travelling to distant corners of the world with the Navy taught me to try food from strange and unusual places… Granted, a lot of the time, you will probably strike out, but sometimes you find something truly remarkable. The last town we lived in had a restaurant that crafted a positively amazing cashew chicken, but its external appearance was… well… not exactly inspiring.
This time around, I was spelunking the depths of the restaurants in our general area, happened across Captain Ernie’s Fish House, and figured that, despite being in a strip mall, it might be worth a shot. I called them up, put in a pick-up order, stopped by their particular hole in the wall… and was confronted with the following sign (the blockquote, not the image):
PURSUANT TO § 39-17-1359, THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THIS PROPERTY HAS BANNED WEAPONS ON THIS PROPERTY, OR WITHIN THIS BUILDING OR THIS PORTION OF THIS BUILDING. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS PROHIBITION IS PUNISHABLE AS A CRIMINAL ACT UNDER STATE LAW AND MAY SUBJECT THE VIOLATOR TO A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500).
Sighing, I made arrangements for the firearm I was carrying at the time, since I was out running errands, went inside, paid for and accepted the meal I had already ordered, and left… but I can guarantee I will not return.
Overfried, dripping in grease, might not have actually been the fish I ordered, and a restaurant that would rather discriminate against me trying to lawfully exercise my rights, rather than accept my patronage. Yeah. Captain Ernie’s Fish House has officially lost my business. Thanks.
I think I would have left and called them to let them know that I tried to pick up my order but was legally barred from doing so…
Isn’t ironic that those signs are meant to “keep people” safe yet they increase the number of times a firearm has to be handled (Less Safe), leave a firearm at home (Less safe) or in a car (much Less Safe), decrease the chance of stopping a crime (Less Safe).
Tell me again how they are looking after our safety?
@cybrus – I considered that… but, by the same token, I entered into a verbal contract with them to purchase the food, and if I did not, it would have been thrown in the garbage. Granted, that might not have been that big of a loss, but I still object on GP.
@Bob S. – Unfortunately, most people honestly cannot think that far ahead. They have a reflexive, emotional reaction to the idea of an inanimate object, and succumb to it, regardless of whatever rational thought might counteract those feelings. They probably honestly believe they are doing good, but that is primarily because they refuse to allow themselves to consider alternatives.
*shrug* They are, of course, more than welcome to their opinion… and I am more than welcome not to support their discriminatory businesses
.
@Linoge – good point – I wouldn’t want to waste the food either. Gotta love voting with your wallet.
Yeah, not a big fan of tossing things for the sake of it, though I doubly love voting not only with my money, but also my webpage…