PALM BAY, Fla. — The owner of Liberty Firearms and Survival in Palm Bay put up flags and signs supporting law enforcement after the tragic Dallas shootings happened.
However, the landlord of the commercial space, Miami-based Gator Investments, brought a police escort and forced the owner to remove the flags that were next to a sign with a blue line. The reasoning behind the company’s demands is unclear.
Ben Teaford, Liberty’s owner, said his lease permits putting up signs by the road to support his business, and does not know why he is not allowed to put up flags of support for the police.
“I was enraged that I can’t support something that our business believes in,” Teaford, Channel 9’s Field Sutton on Thursday.
Teaford said he put out the flags on Monday, and his landlord demanded the flags be removed Wednesday afternoon.
“[My company wants] the flags down,” an unidentified representative of Gator Investments told a Palm Bay 911 operator over the phone Wednesday. “They’re asking that I meet a police officer out there and try to have them work something out to have them taken down.”
People who disagreed with the landlord’s decision have since flooded the store owners shop to buy their own copy of the flags in question.
"I really gotta applaud this guy for stepping up to the plate and really standing behind (the police) when they need it,” Tom Downie told Eyewitness News.
Attorney Barry Miller told Eyewitness News free speech – like putting up a flag with in support of police – is guaranteed when you’re at home. He said it’s just not nearly as clear-cut when your business is trying to do the talking.
See the signs:
"We were quietly supporting our First Amendment as a business, and as a person myself. And I think we should be able to do that,” Teaford said.
The proceeds from the flag sales at Liberty Firearms & Survival are being split equally between fallen officers' funds in Dallas and in Brevard County.
A company representative for Gator Investments told Eyewitness News the company was still formulating a response to questions over the flags’ removal as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday.
Contact Field Sutton for more on this story.
Cox Media Group
