Obama Sign At Ky. Gun Shop Triggers Debate

Reported by: Jessica Noll
Email: Jessica.Noll@kypost.com
Last Update: 8/07 12:16 pm GLENCOE, Ky. – One man’s freedom of speech has sparked controversy in a small Kentucky town.http://www.kypost.com/news/local/story/Obama-Sign-At-Ky-Gun-Shop-Triggers-Debate/iT7fvzFlJEmXiTeJFcFhmg.cspx

The owner of Eagle Hill Armoury, LLC located on Main Street, in Glencoe, Ky., said that he thinks President Barack Obama is a “nagger.”

Earlier this week, the store’s sign which sits in the parking lot, points a flashing, lighted arrow toward the store's entrance and is seen by commuters passing by, read:

“Obama Complains
-Americans Are Fat
-Police Act Stupid
-USA Is A Bully
The President Is A Nagger”

The other side of the sign, which is also illuminated by an arrow of flashing lights, read: “Obama Wants Change And Your Paper Money Too.”

Bryan Roach, the 41-year-old owner of the modest gun shop for nearly three years, said that he changes the sign in front of his business about every five days.
Eagle Hill Armoury is located in Glencoe, Ky. (Jessica Noll/KyPost.com)
Eagle Hill Armoury is located in Glencoe, Ky. (Jessica Noll/KyPost.com)

“Every American has a right to say what they want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody—it makes people think,” said Roach about his sign.

He said that he always displays a sign regarding “something that impacts us, my business or the people around here. I address it.”

The business owner and democrat says that he is more of a “local democrat” when it comes to politics and that the president has “a lot of ideas and plans, but no solution.”

He continued that when Obama holds a news conference it’s like “talking to the Riddler,” a lot of talk, he said, but no answers.

“He’s trying to pick apart America. I think we’ve got a great country.”

Roach, a veteran of the Kentucky National Guard who served from 1996 to 2004, said he doesn’t appreciate the president attacking people and calling the country a bully to other countries, apologizing, he said, to other countries on behalf of the USA. He said that he his proud of his country, and the president should be too.

He explained that the word “nagger” in his message means that Obama “keeps pestering” Americans. He’s “in your face to change your ways” to fit his. And if he doesn’t get his way, Roach said, he holds another press conference.

Whether or not the sign came across as racist, someone decided to make his message racist.
"The sign's tone and message are disrespectful at best, and racist and bigoted at its worst." --Tricia Houston

Someone turned the gun shop owner’s sign into a statement about politics into a racial slur when the vandal changed the “a” in nagger to an “i,” Roach said. Roach said he called the police and changed the sign back to its original message.

A piece of paper is now taped to the sign that states: “Smile for the police! Vandals are now busted on remote camera feed. Everyone else have a great day. And thanks for stopping.”

Some who drive past the shop question whether Roach is a racist or if his sign was.

When someone doesn’t agree with his message, Roach said, they try to label him a racist and discredit him.

“These days when someone can’t win an argument, they brand someone to deflect the argument,” said Roach. “Only a racist person would find that [sign] racist.”

Tricia Houston, of Warsaw, Ky., said the sign offended her when she drove past it.

“The sign did offend me, though I realize that here in America freedom of speech allows for expression like this - and just because I find it offensive, it may not offend everyone. The sign's tone and message are disrespectful at best, and racist and bigoted at its worst,” Houston said.
Bryan Roach holds a photo of the sign that he recently changed for its next message to drivers. (Jessica Noll/KyPost.com)
Bryan Roach holds a photo of the sign that he recently changed for its next message to drivers. (Jessica Noll/KyPost.com)

She said that the sign was in fact a racist comment and that it made her “aghast, ashamed, astounded” to live in that county.

“He thinks we are all so stupid we couldn't see through it? It makes me sick.”

She does not want one to sign represents the voice of her community.

“I live in a rural area, and to that end have learned to expect a difference in point of view from more progressive and urban areas. I would like to think that events like this could be spun in a positive way. Perhaps this can even open the door for discussion and become what the president calls “a teachable moment.’”

Houston’s interpretation of the message was that the person who wrote it dislikes the president, and ultimately, that the person is a racist and bigot, she said.

“Regardless of the fact that Mr. Roach claims to not have advocated or condoned the person who changed the word he placed on the sign, ‘nagger,’ to the racial slur, I believe he did mean the racial slur. The use of the word nagger was thinly veiled and implied the racial slur.”

And while Houston admits that the store owner would have the First Amendment on his side, it doesn't mean that she didn’t find his statements offensive.

Other passersby; however, did not read the sign in the same way as Houston.

John Cain, a Warsaw, Ky., resident and a computer repairman was on his way through Glencoe, driving from a customer’s house on Monday when he first saw the gun shop owner’s sign.
(Jessica Noll/KyPost.com)
(Jessica Noll/KyPost.com)

“I wasn’t offended but I could see how others would be,” Cain said. “The sign really doesn’t say anything real bad, so I see nothing wrong with it.”

Clearly, the store owner doesn’t like Obama’s ideas Cain said but he saw no reason for the sign to be taken down since it wasn’t hurting anyone.

“I stand for the Constitution 100 percent. It’s not a hate sign. It’s more like one guy’s opinion and we all have a right to our opinions,” said Cain. “Some people just want to tell everyone what they think.”

Roach just hopes that his Gallatin County neighbors and passersby will read his sign and think.

“I hope Americans will stand up for what is right.”