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Gun-Carrying Customers Prompt Culver's Policy Review(WI)
http://www.channel3000.com/news/25092147/detail.html ^ | 21 September, 2010 | Staff

Posted on 09/21/2010 7:23:16 PM PDT by marktwain

MADISON, Wis. -- Culver's Corp. is evaluating the possible need for a policy addressing handguns in its restaurants.

The issue came to light after an incident at the East Towne Culver's on Saturday evening.

Five members of the open-carry advocacy group, Wisconsin Carry, met to eat dinner and socialize. The men were all legally openly carrying firearms.

"They started to notice a police presence was gathering around the building so they suspected that somebody had called the police regarding them because they had firearms," said Auric Gold, the group's secretary.

Madison police confirmed that a call was placed to them by a concerned woman who had seen the men in the restaurant.

"She sees some of these people with guns on their hips, and she's concerned enough to call us saying she feels that if she doesn't call and something horrible happens, she would feel terrible that she didn't call," said Joel DeSpain, Madison Police Department spokesman. "She said they weren't doing anything but she thinks we should check it out."

Police responded to the call by approaching the men with the complaint and asking to see identification, WISC-TV reported.

"These individuals were not given any choice; they were simply told they have to provide their ID or they'll be cited for refusal to do it -- for obstruction," said Gold.

"Two of the individuals would not produce identification, saying they didn't need to because they're law-abiding citizens," said DeSpain. "The officers said, 'That's probably the case but we'd like to check it out.'"

The two men who refused to provide identification were handcuffed, ticketed for obstruction of justice and searched until identification was found, police said.

Once police knew they were not felons, their guns were returned.

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Members of the group contend they were not trying to set up police, even though some members were wearing wires to record any such confrontation, WISC-TV reported.

"They didn't come out there with the intention of challenging the law," said Gold. "They didn't come out there with the intention of having an encounter with police. They came out to have a meal, to get to know each other and to socialize. It's as simple as that."

Group members said they believe police might be trying to set them up.

DeSpain said police would not have known the men were having dinner if they hadn't received a complaint.

DeSpain said the group walked around the Capitol and down State Street armed late last winter and had no problems with police. He said there were no complaints.

"If you're a law-abiding citizen, certainly the law in this state is that you can have open carry," said DeSpain. "It's your Second Amendment right and we respect that. But we still need to find out what people are doing when they walk around with guns on their hips because people do get concerned."

Wisconsin Carry said it has its legal counsel looking into whether rights were violated over the weekend. Gold said it would be up to individuals whether or not they pursued legal action on their own.

One man who received a citation for obstruction of justice recently won a settlement from the city of Racine and Racine Police Department for a similar incident.

Madison police said they are also re-evaluating the citations issued on Saturday. Police said the citations could possibly be changed to disorderly conduct.

Culver's Corp. is not making a formal statement regarding the incident, only saying that it's now looking into the possibility of crafting a policy addressing the issue.

Culver's legal counsel is consulting with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association on what action to take.

Culver's said it supports a person's Second Amendment rights and is not taking sides on the issue. However, Culver's said it plans to have a policy addressing the issue in the next few weeks.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: banglist; gun; liberalintolerance; liberalparanoia; opencarry; wi
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If they do not "take sides" the open carriers and the Constitution win. They would have to activily ban the carrying of guns in their restaurants to change their policy.
1 posted on 09/21/2010 7:23:22 PM PDT by marktwain
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To: marktwain

Auric Gold? I read that book!


2 posted on 09/21/2010 7:29:53 PM PDT by DBrow
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To: marktwain

Well I hope Culvers stands by the constitution because I like the place.


3 posted on 09/21/2010 7:30:28 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)
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To: marktwain

This is what it is coming to... Police (government) against law abiding citizens. Not sure how this can be corrected.

You have normal citizens thinking that people carrying guns are a problem - maybe that is where teachable moments should occur.

Or...maybe the law enforcement officers need additonal training. Not sure where this ends...

Somebody with better experience let me know...


4 posted on 09/21/2010 7:34:41 PM PDT by Deagle
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To: marktwain
"The officers said, 'That's probably the case but we'd like to check it out.'"

In other words, "We don't care what the law says. We're cops and we're going to do what we want."

5 posted on 09/21/2010 7:37:14 PM PDT by LouAvul
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To: marktwain
Madistan. Enuff said.
Next year we'll have CC (prolly “shall issue”) and the bedwetters will have a cow. Our state constitution is unambiguous about RTKBA, but the current libtard goober vetoed two bills.
6 posted on 09/21/2010 7:43:15 PM PDT by 50cal Smokepole (Effective gun control involves effective recoil management)
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To: marktwain
I wonder if this concerned person calls the police when she sees a person who has had a little to much get into a car or if she hears a couple arguing and thinks it abuse or is she just concerned about the people carrying guns?
7 posted on 09/21/2010 7:43:27 PM PDT by guitarplayer1953 (Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to GOD! Thomas Jefferson)
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To: marktwain
"These individuals were not given any choice; they were simply told they have to provide their ID or they'll be cited for refusal to do it -- for obstruction," said Gold.

Get a lawyer. Unless you are operating a vehicle on a public street, you have no obligation to show ANY LEO your "papers".

8 posted on 09/21/2010 7:47:22 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Islam is the religion of Satan and Mohammed was his minion.)
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To: 50cal Smokepole

Hopefully you’ll be able to put the CBST to use. Oh, and thanks again for the ammo advise. I’m gettin range ready. Report coming soon!!


9 posted on 09/21/2010 7:49:53 PM PDT by davetex (All my weapons got melted by a meteor!! No Sh*t)
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To: marktwain
"These individuals were not given any choice; they were simply told they have to provide their ID or they'll be cited for refusal to do it -- for obstruction," said Gold.

They should have said they were illegal immigrants and hussein says we don't have to show no stinkin' papers!

10 posted on 09/21/2010 7:51:41 PM PDT by ThunderSleeps (obama out now! I'll keep my money, my guns, and my freedom - you can keep the change.)
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To: mylife

We like it here too!!

Better butter burger thingy, whatever they call it. It’s good.


11 posted on 09/21/2010 7:51:47 PM PDT by davetex (All my weapons got melted by a meteor!! No Sh*t)
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To: marktwain

Can we all say, “violation of civil rights under color of law?” I’m sure the PD and these cops will learn what that means. BTW, immunity is waived by law - hope he goes after the cops personally.


12 posted on 09/21/2010 7:51:57 PM PDT by piytar (There is evil. There is no such thing as moderate evil. Never forget.)
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To: davetex

And its the only place in Texas that I know of that sells frozen custard!


13 posted on 09/21/2010 7:56:28 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)
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To: davetex
Nom Nom Nom Nomm...


14 posted on 09/21/2010 7:59:38 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)
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To: DBrow

“Auric Gold, the group’s secretary.”

LOL


15 posted on 09/21/2010 8:01:22 PM PDT by PizzaDriver ( on)
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To: mylife

Wow, I’m hungry now.


16 posted on 09/21/2010 8:05:11 PM PDT by davetex (All my weapons got melted by a meteor!! No Sh*t)
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To: DBrow
"Two of the individuals would not produce identification, saying they didn't need to because they're law-abiding citizens," said DeSpain. "The officers said, 'That's probably the case but we'd like to check it out.'"

Well done! And it's recorded? LOL. The cop's answer proves that he didn't have "reasonable suspicion" that they were committing a crime. He therefore had no right to demand identification. That means the arrest and ticket was unconstitutional, as in a violation of civil rights. Oooops. The tickets don't provide cover. They might if a "cover story" made after the fact could be ginned up to show reasonable suspicion, but the cop's answer negates that. These guys definitely know their rights, and this is going to end well. For them.

17 posted on 09/21/2010 8:08:19 PM PDT by piytar (There is evil. There is no such thing as moderate evil. Never forget.)
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To: davetex

Me too.


18 posted on 09/21/2010 8:09:13 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)
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To: davetex
Oh, I'll be using it.
If your barrel is chromed, I'd suggest that you run 10 rnds of 223 with a cleaning between each round. Then switch to the 5.56. Some will disagree, but it worked for me. (Never leave Hoppe’s in the bore. Copper is commonly used to prep the bore before chrome. Any scratch in the chrome, and the Hoppe’s will eat into the copper.) /thread hijack
19 posted on 09/21/2010 8:09:50 PM PDT by 50cal Smokepole (Effective gun control involves effective recoil management)
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To: marktwain

Culver restaurants?

what is the name of the restaurants?

It would seem commercial suicide to decide agains these people. (also clearly state easy robbery target)


20 posted on 09/21/2010 8:17:01 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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