Fairfax, VA – -(Ammoland.com)- The word “Outback” used to conjure images of Australia’s tenacious frontier spirit; of hunters, ranchers, and other adventurers who carved out a harsh existence from an unforgiving land.
Thanks to a decades-long campaign to distance the island nation from certain elements of its rugged heritage and the proliferation of an Australian-themed casual dining restaurant chain, today the word “Outback” is more likely to bring to mind a 3,000 calorie deep-fried onion.
Despite its namesake and decor, culinary critics have long questioned whether Outback Steakhouse offers an authentic Down Under dining experience.
However, these detractors should know that in recent years the chain has gone to great lengths to replicate for their guests Australia’s culture of civilian disarmament by prohibiting diners from carrying firearms onto the premises.
This commitment to reproducing Australia’s defenseless society is so profound that earlier this month a uniformed law enforcement officer was asked to leave an Outback in Cleveland, Tenn. because he was armed.
The incident occurred when Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Officer Andrew Ward and his wife went to the restaurant for dinner. In a Facebook post, Ward explained,
I was approached by the manager and asked if I would put my gun in my truck. I let her know that I couldn’t because I was in uniform. She then went and made a call and came back and we were asked to leave because Outback is a gun free zone.
Rightfully disturbed by the encounter, Ward added,
What is this country coming to? A uniformed Law Enforcement Officer who is sworn to protect and serve the public, is refused service because they have a firearm! I am disgusted and have no other words!!!
In an update to his initial post, Ward noted that he was asked to leave after Outback management bent to the will of an unhinged customer. According to Ward, “There was another customer who was ‘scared for her life’… because ‘police are shooting people.’” Ward explained that “the customer went on to demand to be escorted to her vehicle out of fear of being shot.”
Given the decades of statistics showing the law-abiding character of Right-to-Carry permit holders, Outback’s gun free zone policy is foolish. However, that the company would cite their gun-free policy as justification to yield to the ravings of an unreasonable individual to the detriment of a uniformed law enforcement officer is radical.
There is a general consensus that uniformed and ununiformed current and former law enforcement officers should be allowed to carry a firearm for the public benefit. That is why in 2004 Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the Law Enforcement Officer’s Safety Act (LEOSA).
Under LEOSA, current and former law enforcement officers who meet certain basic criteria, such as carrying qualified identification, are permitted to carry a firearm throughout the country.
Showing the strong bipartisan support for this measure, the original legislation, H.R. 218, had 297 co-sponsors in the House of Representative and passed the Senate unanimously. Subsequent changes that have been made to increase the number of officers able to take advantage of this protection have been similarly popular.
Sensing a growing public outrage, Outback reached out to the Wards and offered them a $100 gift card and an apology. Outback’s parent-company, Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., issued a statement to Chattanooga’s WTVC that contended it is not company policy to prohibit law enforcement officers from carrying at their restaurants. The statement went on to blame the incident on the individual restaurant manager.
While the manager might have handled the situation better, Bloomin’ Brands shares some responsibility for creating the irrational gun free zone policy that the employee was forced to interpret. Outback Steakhouse ads have long carried the tagline “Outback: No Rules, Just Right.” In order to better reflect company values and bolster ongoing efforts at authenticity, we submit for consideration, “Outback: No Rights, Just Rules.”
About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
After reading these ammoland posts for quite a long time, I REALLY wish you would post a link to the ORIGINAL article, since many of your ‘rewritings’ have many mistakes in both spelling and syntax.
Just a suggestion.
I wrote OUTBACK Steak House …. this is their reply. Thank you for writing and giving us the opportunity to clarify our policy. We have always welcomed law enforcement officers in our restaurants with their service firearms. We have the highest respect for law enforcement, and that will never change. The recent incident in Tennessee was a mistake, one for which we have apologized, and the officer says he accepted our apology. We respect the rights of gun owners and follow state and local law. However, we are a restaurant where families dine and where alcohol is served. We want… Read more »
Thanks for the welcome, @Oldvet. How’re they hanging? And thank you for your service. I’ve been around awhile and commented a few times here on Ammoland. Just don’t have a lot to say any more. Kinda talked out after all these years. Maybe I am mellowing out, finally.
As an Australian, who fled that Feminazi, Man Hating, Nanny state and now lives in the US, I am not at all surprised this happened in an Australian themed restaurant.
Australians have been brainwashed to hate guns, thanks to the NWO controlled, feminist infested, puppet government down there. Glad I got the fuck out of that land of limp wristed, soy-boy’s.
I hope that if the Outback manager calls 911 for an emergency, that the LEO that responds stops at the door and refuses to enter due to their policy.
All, have been active in “voting” with my dollars since childhood (am now 70). Dad had five NAPA stores. He bought vehicles from dealerships that bought car parts from his stores. He ate in restaurants which had owners who bought from his stores. He bought groceries from his customers who had grocery stores. He did not frequent any establishments who were not customers. It was plain and simple, support your customers so they would support your business, too. Same for politicians, doctors, accountants, lawyers, etc. He never ever bought a Ford because that dealership did not buy car parts from… Read more »
G’day guys, I read this and thought WTF??? these numpties can’t possibly be serious? If anything the manager should have told to gutless wanker who cried like a baby to leave and never come back. Now from my point of view the solution is simple. Law enforcement and anyone else who can legally carry a firearm puts a blanket ban on the “outback steak house” and any other establishment who does the same thing. Hit em where it hurts, their hip pocket. AND LET THEM KNOW WHY. These actions are so disrespectful and gutless! And finally. The food etc in… Read more »
Just because we have LEOSA doesn’t mean we can carry anywhere. Costco and Wholefoods also do not allow open or concealed carry. But neither seem to post it with the proper signage. Costco says it’s in their membership agreement and Wholefoods posts it so low it is ineffective and not legal. I used to live in the Socialist State of NY and now live in the great Republic of Texas. Most courts will allow concealed carry if you ask and depending on why you are there. Massachusetts local courts are pretty good about allowing you to keep your firearm or… Read more »
I do not eat at OB any more, because if a law enforcement office is needed, they just might take their time and in that time who knows what the robber or unlawful act could yield. Why take that chance when they clearly do not want law officers in their restaurants and why should I put my myself and family at risk with this policy. Adios OB.