INVERNESS, Fla. – A Florida man has sparked controversy after declaring his gun store "Muslim-free."
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"I will not arm and train those who wish to do harm to my fellow patriots," Florida Gun Supply owner Andy Hallinan said in a YouTube video.
Hallinan said one employee quit after he posted the video.
Despite the pushback, Hallinan said he believes the majority of Muslims are not out to kill Americans.
"If they come in here and they say, 'Hey, I don't believe in Jihad. And I don't believe that killing some innocent people in the name of religion is the right thing to do,' (then0 they're as American as you or I," Hallinan said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Hallinan's store policy violates federal law. The council said it is calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the situation.
"I invite Andy, the gun shop owner, to break bread with us, to get to know us as his fellow Americans, as neighbors. We might be his doctor, his police officer, his firefighter. That's what the American-Muslim community is, and I think he should get to know us and not let fear and hatred divide us as Americans," CAIR representative Hassan Shibly said.
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Hallinan said he expects his views could make him a potential target, so he is stepping up his own security.
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