http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Fe...d.aspx?id=3777

Outrage Of The Week: "Safest for everybody?" Pizza Hut punishes employee for defending himself

Friday, April 04, 2008


“The incident wasn’t something quick and simple. ... It was a long ordeal…my life was, without a doubt, in danger.”

On the night of March 27, 2008, Pizza Hut deliveryman James Spiers of Des Moines, Iowa was delivering pizzas--just as he had many times before over the past 10 years. He walked into an apartment complex thinking he was making another routine delivery, but found himself in a battle for his life: he had been set up by a “customer” who had lured him into the complex by pretending to order the pizza over the phone, but who had an armed accomplice waiting in ambush.

Spiers soon found himself trapped in a hallway with a gun to his head, his assailant demanding money. “Without a doubt,” he said, “my life was in extreme danger.”

The thug (who, not surprisingly, has a long list of prior arrests) thought he had the upper hand. Fortunately, Mr. Spiers has a valid concealed carry permit, and was carrying a pistol for personal protection at the time of the attack. He struggled with his attacker and managed to draw his own firearm. He shot the assailant, who fled the scene but was later arrested after he sought medical treatment.

Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. As a result of his actions, Mr. Spiers, a single father trying to make an honest living, was suspended from his job by his employer, Pizza Hut. That’s right. A man who, as a result of doing his job, was forced into a life-threatening situation, defended himself, and whose actions helped take a career criminal off the street, was deprived of his livelihood. Pizza Hut suspended James Spiers for defending his life.

Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources at Pizza Hut, said, “We have a policy against carrying weapons. We prohibit employees from carrying guns because we believe that that is the safest for everybody.”

“Safest for everybody?” This inane policy certainly makes things safer for criminals, like the one who attacked Spiers. But it does nothing to aid the safety of Pizza Hut’s employees. Every night, hardworking deliverymen and women must do their job in potentially dangerous areas. In fact, their jobs are statistically among the most dangerous in the nation. Yet Pizza Hut would deprive them of self-protection.

Thankfully, people are taking notice. Spiers has said that he has been “overwhelmed by support from people who cheered what happened,” including Iowa state senator Brad Zaun (R-32), who noted, “If I was in a situation to protect my family, protect myself, to continue being a father, I would’ve done the same thing. What I want everybody to know…is that there [are] people out there supporting this man and his right to defend himself. I’m going to be watching Pizza Hut.”

To voice your outrage over Pizza Hut’s disciplinary decision, please contact the Corporate Offices by phone at (800) 948-8488, or by e-mail at this webpage: http://www.pizzahut.com/contactus/Co...m.aspx?l1=2024.
This corporate policy is outrageous.



Thats wrong..no matter what. Maybe he will get a better job for standing up for himself. Guns dont kill people, People kill People....AGHHHH

 

i smell a boycott coming on..... drillsergeant.gif

 

definitely disagree with his suspension, those people's jobs are dangerous as hell especially considering the modest pay.

 

I deliver pizza while im in school right now. The only good thing is that the place i work for only delivers till 9 and they will not allow any of the drivers to go to certain areas. If there is an area that you go to and you feel really bad about they wont go there any more. The drivers safety and well being is much more important that a stupid large cheese....

 

I hate human resources... I've been suspended 3 times from Cost Plus World Market in a 3 month period for similar (non life-threatening) situations, basically amounting to me being punished for working too hard. All three times I proved their asses wrong and made them pay me for every single day I was not allowed to work due to the suspension, and after the third time I just quit (immediately after HR called me back to say I could return to work, lol. I said "good, now I quit.")

If he had a CC then what's the problem? Does Pizza Hut HR law override state law? or better yet the 2nd Amendment? Last time I checked, the Constitution wasn't signed by Pizza Hut.. rolleyes.gif This guy should get his state NRA guy involved and I'm sure the media will take it from there. He'll get his job back and retribution pay, whether he wants to continue delivering pizzas is up to him..

Concealed carry FTW! (I love Arizona)

 

Pizza hut was in direct violation of the 2nd amendment, and thereby breaking the law. No questions, Pizza Hut is highly in the wrong. Not for suspending him (although I highly disagree with their actions there), but for preventing their employees to carry a weapon.

 

^^sort of..

Are schools and libraries in violation of the 2nd Amendment for not allowing firearms on their property? What would be the determining factor here is whether or not Pizza Hut made it clear to the employee that firearms are not to be carried while on the job. If the employee didn't sign anything, then what the hell is the matter here?

 

my opinion, Pizza Hut really need to revise and adjust their policy/rules.

i understand the policy of employees not allowed to have guns for the safety of others, BUT that policy should be specified differently, which is that the employees cannot carry firearm on Pizza Hut's premises, but when going out to make deliveries, the employees can carry (with legal permit) firearms for their own safety.

 

roflz...

he can afford to take the CC course ( in my area it's $125.00 for a weekend course)

he can afford a handgun as a single father delivering pizzas ( on average depending on caliber $500.00 or more that will have ANY stopping power)

if he can afford all this, why is he STILL delivering pizzas?

i am all for 2nd amendment rights as I am a hunter but good god I don't put myself or will i ever put myself in ANY situation where I would have to have a job that I feel like I have to have a gun to do my job safely. If I felt that unsafe about my working conditions, I would feel it was time for a job improvement.

as far as pizza hut saying they have a policy and if it was written on paper that he signed, the joke is on him. true, it might be one of those," read the fine print" deals, but that is what you do when you sign anything for a company that you work for or in that case any kind of contract that you have with anybody.

there is alot of confusion about 2nd amendment rights. In Kansas, I can or could walk around outside all day long with a side holster or shoulder holster on me with a loaded weapon as long as its in plain sight. the concealed law is different. why carry something in hiding that you want to use as a deterrant when you can't go into any public place with. if you carry, keep it out in the open.

bullfrog, I copied and pasted this link in my archery forum in the hunting and legislation rights section. they will have a field day with this one.

 

Just so everyone knows, this story is on other websites as well and not just the NRA's. Just sayin that to be fair as sometimes stories have spin on them depending on where they were posted.

If you have Firefox browser thats how i found this story using the stumble feature.

UrS0NvS- feel free to post your archery forum link or you can PM me it. I would like to see what others have to say about it as well.