Tourists to a Maine town complained to officials after spotting a sign on the lawn of a private residence that they found to be offensive.
The large, hand-painted sign reads, “Black Rifles Matter, Yes We Have 'Em, No, You Can’t Take 'Em," and features an image of a rifle.
Boothbay Harbor resident Linc Sample created the sign, according to The Associated Press. Sample said his sign is in support of gun rights, and is not about race. He said that the Black Lives Matters movement should be "flattered" that he is using the phrase and that he used it to make an impact.
The sign has had an impact, forcing the town’s chamber of commerce to field calls from offended tourists. In spite of some calling for the sign’s removal, town officials said Sample has a permit for the sign and is exercising his First Amendment rights.
In protest, someone placed a "Black Lives Matter" cardboard sign at the bottom of Sample's sign.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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