Veteran is kicked out of McDonald’s for carrying a four-inch blade around his neck despite complying with open-carry law as he blasts he’s ‘a martial artist not an attacker’
- Jonathan Nagel says he was refused service at a McDonald’s branch in Washington Friday following a dispute about the weapon he was carrying
- Nagel, who served in Afghanistan, practices martial arts and carries the four-inch curved blade, called a karambit, in a leather sheath around his neck
- Under Washington’s open-carry law, Nagel is allowed to have the knife on him in public but it must remain visible
- The altercation broke out when the manager told him to put the knife away because there were children present in the restaurant
An army veteran has told how he was kicked out of McDonald’s for carrying a four-inch blade around his neck which he uses for martial arts.
Jonathan Nagel, who served in Afghanistan, was refused service at a McDonald’s in Everett, Washington, Friday following a dispute about the weapon.
Nagel practices martial arts and carries the four-inch curved blade, called a karambit, in a leather sheath around his neck every day, he told King 5 News.
Under Washington state’s open-carry law, Nagel is allowed to have the knife on him in public but it must remain visible.
‘I’m a martial artist,’ he said. ‘I’m not the type of guy that goes around attacking people.’
A US army veteran (pictured) was kicked out of McDonald’s for carrying a four-inch blade around his neck
Nagel practices martial arts and carries the four-inch curved blade, called a karambit (pictured), in a leather sheath around his neck every day. Under Washington state’s open-carry law, Nagel is allowed to have the knife on him in public but it must remain visible
The altercation broke out about 6pm when Nagel, who is African-American and disabled, entered the fast food joint with two women.
Nagel said the manager told him to put the knife away because there were children present in the restaurant.
The veteran told the manager that he couldn’t put the blade away because that would be illegal under state laws.
‘It’s supposed to be out in the open,’ said Nagel.
Nagel said he later put the knife away at the manager’s request but the dispute continued between his party and the McDonald’s crew member.
Nagel was turfed out of the restaurant and police were called.
In cellphone video footage posted by Nagel on YouTube, which he appears to have later removed, the manager is heard saying ‘I have the right to refuse service’.
In cellphone video footage posted by Nagel on YouTube (above), which he appears to have later removed, the manager is heard saying ‘I have the right to refuse service’
The altercation broke out about 6pm when Nagel, who is African-American and disabled, entered the fast food joint with two women. Nagel said the manager told him to put the knife away because there were children present in the restaurant (pictured above)
‘He said, ‘No, I don’t want your service, you can leave,’ just that plain and simple,’ Nagel said.
The disgruntled veteran feels he shouldn’t have faced the ‘discrimination’ by the McDonald’s staff.
‘I fought for this country, I deserve to be here. I deserve a quarter-pounder with cheese if I want one. I don’t deserve to be discriminated against,’ he said.
Nagel added: ‘I’m in my country, being treated like I’m some kind of criminal or foreigner who has ill intent and I’m not.’
Everett police said both parties had acted within their lawful rights. Nagel has the right to open carry his form of protection as a citizen. The manager has the right to use his discretion regarding safety and refuse service to customers.
‘I’m in my country, being treated like I’m some kind of criminal or foreigner who has ill intent and I’m not,’ said Nagel (pictured in a Facebook post)
Everett police said both parties acted within their lawful rights. Nagel (pictured in a social media post) has the right to open carry his form of protection as a citizen and the manager has the right to use his discretion regarding safety and refuse service
Nagel said he is looking for an attorney because he is not happy with the way he and his friends were treated by the fast food giant.
McDonald’s released a statement saying that safety of customers and staff is ‘top priority’.
‘The safety and security of our guests and crew are our top priority. We will continue to ensure our restaurants are a safe space open to anyone in the community where customers and crew feel comfortable,’ said McDonald’s owner-operator Alefa Eserjose.