Religion & American Law

Yes Guns, No Gays

It started as, "enough is enough".  Brian Klawiter, the owner of a car repair shop in Grandville, Michigan, wrote on his company's Facebook page this past week not only encouraging gun owners to visit his shop with the promise of discounts on car services, but Klawiter also publicly announced that he would refuse service to any openly gay person or persons showing public affection towards each other because "Homosexuality is wrong. period". After receiving many threats to the post, Klawiter later wrote another post defending his actions, stating that "the voices of American conservatives are not being heard by the government" and even threatened those that wished to voice their opposing opinions that were customers of his that he would "put their vehicle together with all bolts and no nuts and they can see how that works".

When later asked about the disruption his post caused, Klawiter stated, "Apparently if you are white, you have a job, go to church, and own a gun...That translates into racists, privileged, bigot, conspiracy theorist. Too many of us say nothing. Well, freedom of speech isn't just for liberals". Needless to say, Klawiter has continued to receive threatening messages through his company's Facebook account and even requested the security of local authorities at his home, to which he was denied.

It was later discovered that Klawiter does not have a city license, as he believes requiring a license is a violation of his constitutional rights because it would allow city inspectors to enter his shop without a warrant. The license would also request all of Klawiter's personal information, including his home address, details about his property, and an inside access to his alarm system. This, Klawiter also claims, is disregarding the voice of conservative Americans. "I cannot and will not give up my civil rights, especially when requested by a government entity for which the Constitution was designed to limit the power of. Would you sign something giving me the right to search your home as I pleased?".

As of today, Michigan is one of many states that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Several municipalities within the state do have laws against it, but Grandville, the town where this particular case is taking place, is not one of them.

This case is extremely similar to that of the baker that refused to make a cake the videographer that did not want to film for a same-sex marriage. What sets this case apart is that, not only did Klawiter display his opinion on his company's (not personal) social media site and in an unprofessional fashion, but he also openly threatened the voices of those that did not agree with him and blatantly stated that he would damage their cars if they were to ever receive service from him; service from a repair shop without a license. Even though Klawiter's car repair shop is privately owned by himself, he is not licensed and he still is in an area of Michigan that does not allow discrimination, therefore Klawiter should not have the right to publicly state that he will not provide business to homosexuals. To me, that is all too similar to a "Whites Only" sign on a storefront. I also do not think it is right for him to provide discounts to gun-owners, as that is discriminating against personal choices AND religions; not just sexual orientation.

Do you think Klawiter has the right to deny service to homosexuals or the right to give discounts to those that support the right to bear arms? Should this statement be allowed to be displayed on public forums/online advertisements? Should Klawiter be allowed to continue his business without a license under the claim that it is a violation of his Fourth Amendment?

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