According to 12 News an unnamed man was cited by Beaumont, Texas police on Saturday while standing in front of a gun store and wearing a banana suit…with an AK slung across his back. Nothing to see here, officers: the man was working for the store’s owner. Notice I said cited, not arrested: the man was also waving a placard with an arrow, directing customers to the ‘Grand Re-Opening’ sale for the Golden Triangle Tactical store. This open display of commerce apparently violates a Beaumont municipal ordinance, which bans soliciting business while on or alongside a roadway . . .
The tropical fruit hawker was also questioned about his rifle (duh), which was equipped with a 50-round drum magazine. The rifle was eventually returned to him, but the matter was referred to the DA’s office for possible charges.
Let me pose this question: is this an IGOTD, a political statement, or just a slightly goofy marketing campaign? Beaumont apparently doesn’t have any Liberty Tax Service outlets, or similar businesses.
I was going to go with ‘slightly goofy’ myself, but this story goes a little deeper than Saturday’s spectacle. Remember that just last month, Golden Triangle Tactical left its prior digs at Parkdale Mall, after owner Derek Poe was charged with disorderly conduct for slinging a rifle across his back as he walked to his own store.
If this is a political statement by Poe, this might be just the time to make it. Republican Greg Abbott is the odds-on favorite to be the next governor of the Lone Star State according to Real Clear Politics, and he’s already voiced his support for repealing Texas’ ban on the open carry of handguns. And gee, even Democrat Wendy Davis has jumped on board the open carry bandwagon. If open carry is ultimately enacted in the Lone Star State, the next civil rights issue to address may be legalizing human tree fruits.