A low-budget radio ad featuring a Texas handgun instructor, Crockett Keller, has gone viral, thanks to its controversial content. Transcript from KVUE News in Texas:
“We will attempt to teach you all the necessary information you need to obtain your C.H.L.,” the ad stated. Forty-five seconds in, the advertisement added a disclaimer.
“If you are a socialist liberal and or voted for the current campaigner in chief, please do not take this class. You have already proven that you cannot make a knowledgeable and prudent decision as under the law.”
The ad continues, going on to say,”If you are a non-Christian Arab or Muslim, I will not teach you the class with no shame; I am Crockett Keller, thank you and God bless America.”
It appears that Keller may be breaking the law. The Texas Department of Public Safety, the agency that oversees gun licensing in Texas, had this to say:
“The Texas Department of Public Safety certifies individuals to teach coursework and provide training required to be taken by individuals seeking to qualify for a Texas concealed handgun license. Certified instructors are required to comply with all applicable state and federal statutes. Conduct by an instructor that denied service to individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion would place that instructor’s certification by the Department at risk of suspension or revocation. The Department became aware of the statements in question yesterday and has begun an investigation into the matter. The Department will take appropriate administrative action based on the findings from the investigation.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center isn’t sure it’s so cut and dry.
It’s not clear whether this type of discrimination is lawful. Keller, though licensed by the state to teach the gun course, is not an employee of the state of Texas, and business owners do have considerable discretion in deciding whom they wish to serve. However, except in the case of private clubs, anti-discrimination laws generally prohibit businesses from denying service based solely on religion.
A spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which issues concealed carry instructor permits, told Hatewatch that department officials learned of Keller’s ad earlier today. But they cannot take action unless a written complaint, complete with evidence, is filed. “In my opinion it’s a horrible thing for the guy to do,” the spokesman said, “but we have to go by protocol.”
Keller defends his ad. “I exercise my prerogative … to choose who would be good candidates for concealed handgun license,” he said. “I wish that the people who had taught the Muslims that flew the jets into the World Trade Center, I wish they had the forethought to think of what they were teaching these assassins.”
It might serve Keller to be reminded that the 9/11 hijackers carried box cutters, not guns.
KVUE video below:
This ad is a good example of what being a free American means; the priviledge/right to express your opinions and to act on those opinions in your personal and business life.
The reactions I’m reading to this ad are a good example of why this country is in trouble socially and economically; a majority feel that they have a responsibility to force others into their own viewpoints and opinions while focusing on one small part of an issue rather than looking at the big picture such as the race of the president, or what small amount of money you can save if you take your company to China.
A free businessman should be free to refuse service to anyone he wishes and in response a free public can choose to show their support or disagreement by doing business with him or not. If you disagree with him simply don’t take his course; there is no need to call him names.
Start focusing on what’s best for this country and your community.
So, he has a right to his opinion. You have a right to your opinion, but we don’t? No one is saying he doesn’t have a right to his opinion, but we can say how bigoted his opinion is. That is our right. If he is in violation of the law, that should be pointed out as well. And why is the race of the President part of the big picture? To me, it seems like the smallest of details. It’s not more vital to how President Obama leads than is the color of his tie.
Keller is a Kowboy….YA>>>>>FKN HOOO,See you on the battle field asshole!!!
I’m sure there are plenty of dumb-ass, gun toting crackers from your state too. This guy is a dumb piece of ****, but don’t stereotype everyone from my state.
Up yer ass Mr. Texass! Who the hell do you think you are you Charlie Daniels looking muthafuggah?
“Mr. Texass”? This guy is a stupid piece of ****, but don’t throw around the name of my state as an insult. What if I called someone “Mr. California” or “Mr. New York” if he were an ignorant racist bigot?
As long as he’s within the law, and not working in the public sector, then he and his racist cowboy/redneck friends can do/speak as they like. Small, independent, private businesses like this shouldn’t be forced to do anything against their will. Should they be encouraged or incentivized to not condone and engage in prejudice, though? Absolutely. Of course, if he were a corporation, though, he’d be shut down quickly—as it should be.
That said, when are people going to wake up and realize that NOT everyone else thinks/believes as they do—and that that doesn’t make them bad or any less equal. Let’s embrace our differences!
I know, I know…I’m basically preaching to the crowd with that last sentence. Still, however, it deserves to be repeated so long as the hatred and prejudice of American minority groups persists.
Tell you what, Tex. You don’t teach me how to shoot a gun (which my Vietnam era Marine Corps. father already taught me anyway) and I won’t teach you how to kick a man’s teeth down his throat. The hard way.
For a “socialist liberal campaigner in chief,” Obama certainly has proven to be a lot more like Wyatt Earp than Bush when it comes to dispatching characters who are actually enemies of the US, rather than attacking the wrong country. This bozo is an insult to gun Texans and gun owners everywhere.
Wait, let me see if I’ve got this right: Some dumb-ass, gun toting cracker from Texas harbors prejudices towards thinking people who are different from him? I’m shocked. SHOCKED!