Community Corner

Diner Owner Tells NPR Why He Openly Carries a Gun

In a nationally aired segment about an Easton rally Thursday, Hellertown Diner owner Vasilios 'Bill' Christogiannis told NPR he openly carries a loaded Ruger semiautomatic pistol to show 'support...for protecting the right to own a f

NPR came to Hellertown Thursday as part of a visit to the Lehigh Valley prompted by a rally for tougher gun laws that was held in Easton.

Although Saucon Valley supporters of tougher gun laws—members of the group Organizing For Action—distributed petitions and held signs at the Centre Square rally, in the borough the message that went out via national airwaves was different.

NPR correspondent David Welna interviewed Hellertown Diner owner Vasilios "Bill" Christogiannis for the four-minute segment, in which Christogiannis explained why he openly carries a Ruger LC9 semiautomatic pistol loaded with seven rounds on his hip while working in the restaurant.

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"I have the gun on me all day. I walk around with the gun, work with the gun," Christogiannis said. "And not because—for any other reason... I don't want to show that I have a gun. But I want to show my support towards other people that are for protecting the right to own a firearm."

Welna reported that Christogiannis and others at the restaurant "scoffed" at the idea of tougher gun legislation, and expressed confidence that any attempt by Congress to pass stricter gun laws is doomed.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A national debate about enacting tougher gun legislation erupted in the wake of .


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