A Florida gun shop owner announced on Facebook Saturday that he will no longer sell or serve to the Muslim community.
Florida Gun Supply owner Andy Hallinan said in a video uploaded to the social media platform that the “extreme changes” were made because of his “moral” duty to his country.
“Now, I have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure the safety of all patriots in my community,” Hallinan said in front of a Confederate flag. “And so effective immediately I’m declaring Florida Gun Supply a Muslim-free zone. I will not arm and train those who wish to do harm to my fellow patriots.”
“The jihadists said they would do it and they have. They said they would live among us, and they do,” he added, telling viewers not to believe those who say Islam “is not evil.”
Other changes to policy at the Inverness gun store include offering free concealed carry classes and opening the range up to the public at no charge.
“We want the public to be able to go out and practice in case we are ever called upon to defend our lives and or the community,” Hallinan said.Since the new policy was announced, the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the shop is violating the civil rights of Muslims, WTSP-TV reported. The group contends the business may be violating law by refusing to serve individuals based upon their religion.
On Facebook, the shop insisted, however, that it “can deny service to anyone for any reason.” When asked if employees would be asking each potential customer whether or not they are Muslim, the business replied “correct.”
Since the video was posted by Hallinan, it has been viewed more than 34,000 times.