Cleared clerk who stopped robbery quits over Circle K's gun ban

A Stow, Ohio, Circle K clerk who fired on masked robbers after they rammed a stolen minivan into the store was cleared by police, but the company's no-weapons policy left him without a job he says he's not going back to.

Snapshot

Kendrick Watson fired seven shots at multiple suspects who crashed into his store and approached the counter, and the robbers fled. Police found his actions lawful and filed no charges against him, but Circle K's weapons policy put his continued employment in question, and after his hours were cut to zero and later restored, Watson chose not to return.

Key points

• No charges filed: Police determined Watson acted lawfully in defending himself and a coworker during the attempted robbery.
• Hours pulled, not reinstated cleanly: Watson says he was texted not to come in and removed from the schedule, then later told he could return.
• Policy conflict: Circle K's weapons ban made Watson question how he could keep working there after using a firearm on the job, according to Watson.
• He walked away: After six years at the store, Watson decided not to return and said he hopes others stay prepared to defend themselves.
• Columnist's view: Cam Edwards of Bearing Arms argues forcing unarmed employees to work alone overnight doesn't make them safer, citing a recent fatal shooting of a clerk in Atlanta and a fatal stabbing of a clerk in Hawaii as examples of the risks convenience store workers face.

Quick take

This case lands in a gray zone many armed citizens who work retail or late-night shifts should think about: lawful self-defense doesn't guarantee job security if your employer bans weapons outright. Know your company's policy before you ever need to use a firearm at work, and weigh that risk going in.

Read the full story: bearingarms.com