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CLYDE TOP-HITS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 1
CLYDE’S CONTROVERSIAL BACKGROUND ........................................................................ 3
CLYDE KICKED OUT AND BANNED A DISABLED AFGHANISTAN VETERAN
FROM HIS STORE AFTER BRINGING IN HIS SERVICE DOG .......................................... 3
Clyde Kicked Out And Banned An Afghanistan War Veteran Who Brought His Trained
Service Dog Into His Gun Shop.............................................................................................. 3
Clyde Kicked Out A Veteran, Russ Murray, Who Had Sustained Injuries When His
Humvee Was Blown Up In Iraq After He Brought In A Fully-Trained Service Dog Into
Clyde’s Store....................................................................................................................... 3
Murray Noted That He Had Previously Entered Clyde Armory To Purchase Guns In The
Past ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Clyde Also Banned Murray From Entering His Store For Two Years For Violating The
Warning Not To Bring Other Dogs Into The Store ............................................................ 4
Clyde Did Not Apologize To Murray And Claimed That He Kicked Him Out Because He
Was Disturbing His Own Dog Whose “Sole Purpose” Was Security Despite No Previous
Indication Of The Dog’s Role................................................................................................. 4
Clyde Did Not Apologize To Murray And Claimed He Kicked Him Out Because Of His
Own Dog’s “Sole Purpose” Of Store Security ................................................................... 4
Clyde Did Not Previously Indicate That His Dog Had Any Security Role ........................ 5
Furthermore, Despite Being An Alleged Security Dog, Clyde Noted That He Had
Difficulty Restraining His Dog ........................................................................................... 6
Department Of Justice ADA Guidelines Would Suggest That Clyde Should Not Have
Asked Murray To Be Removed From The Premises .............................................................. 6
CLYDE CLAIMS HE WOULD DISMANTLE THE IRS BUT HAS MADE TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM THE AGENCY AS RECENTLY AS 2020 ................. 7
Clyde Has Made His Battle With The IRS A Centerpiece Of His 2020 Congressional
Campaign ................................................................................................................................ 7
Clyde Now Claims He Will “Dismantle” The “Corrupt IRS” ................................................ 8
And Yet, Clyde Has Recently Earned AN $84,061 Contract To Equip The IRS In May 2020
................................................................................................................................................. 9
CLYDE NOTES HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT FEDERAL SPENDING AS A MEANS OF
PROMOTING GROWTH BUT HAS MADE MILLIONS IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
CONTRACTS ........................................................................................................................... 10
Clyde Claims He Does Not Support Federal Spending As A Means Of Promoting Economic
Growth .................................................................................................................................. 10
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And Yet, Clyde Armory Has Made $3.6 Million In Federal Government Contracts Over 236
Transactions Since FY 2008 ................................................................................................. 10
CURRENT AND FORMER CLYDE ARMORY EMPLOYEES HAVE COMPLAINED
ABOUT CLYDE ARMORY’S MANAGEMENT .................................................................. 11
At Least Two Clyde Armory Employees Had Complained About Management ................ 11
At Least One Clyde Armory Employee Claimed She Was Filed A Harassment Complaint
And Was Fired After Being Told She Was Lying ................................................................ 12
At Least One Clyde Armory Employee Has Complained About Low Wages ..................... 12
CLYDE POSTED A TASTELESS VIDEO WITH A DESCRIPTION “THIS IS HOW AN
IRAQI CHOSE TO COMMIT SUICIDE” ............................................................................... 12
Clyde Seem To Joke About A Video Showing The Shooting Of An Iraqi .......................... 12
CLYDE ARMORY HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE ............... 13
Clyde’s Gun Store Has Been The Subject Of Some Severe Customer Complaints ............. 13
CLYDE ARMORY’S LAWSUIT AGAINST ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY’S SHELTER-
IN-PLACE ORDINANCE WAS DISMISSED ........................................................................ 14
Clyde’s 2020 COVID-19 Related Lawsuit Appeared To Lack Substantive Legal Arguments
............................................................................................................................................... 14
CLYDE IS A CANADIAN NATIVE....................................................................................... 15
Clyde Is A Native Of Ontario, Canada And Raised In Indiana ............................................ 15
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• Murray Received His Service Dog, A Fully-Trained Black Lab Named Ellie, From
The Dog Tag Program Of Puppies Behind Bars. “Murray obtained the black lab dog,
named Ellie, more than a year ago from a New York-based organization which trains
service dogs for disabled Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans. Murray, who was a U.S.
Army sergeant in Afghanistan, was injured in a roadside explosion in May 2008 leaving
him with brain and back injuries. Complaints against service dogs don’t often arise, but
usually happen in small towns, according to Gloria Stoga, president of Puppies Behind
Bars in New York City, which operates the Dog Tag Program providing dogs to veterans.
“We’ve paired 54 soldiers and dogs and we haven’t gotten that many calls over the
years,” Stoga said, adding that some people are apparently not aware these are “fully-
trained service dog.” “We keep telling our veterans, that in essence, they are pioneers,”
she said. “As more and more Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans get service dogs, these
dogs will be seen in more places.” Ellie can respond to about 80 commands, including
helping with the laundry, picking up items, and even calling 911, Murray said.” (“Two War
Vets Disagree Over ‘Service Dog’ In Athens Gun Store,” Athens Banner-Herald, 4/10/13)
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Murray Claimed Clyde “Discriminated Against Me Because I Have A Service Dog” And
Noted His Intention To File An ADA Complaint. “An injured combat veteran from
Watkinsville recently was banned for two years from Clyde’s Armory Gun Shop in Athens for
bringing his trained service dog inside the store and said he intends to file a complaint this week
under the federal American Disabilities Act. “He discriminated against me because I have a
service dog,” Russ Murray said. Murray said the confrontation took place Saturday when he
entered the gun store on Atlanta Highway. But the store owner, Andrew Clyde, said Wednesday
he had a legitimate reason for asking Murray to leave. “I have a security dog. She’s a Doberman
pincher and she’s vital to security of the armory,” Clyde said, adding that the dog freely roams
from the sales floor to the warehouse. “She doesn’t interact well with other dogs and I cannot
have a dog fight in my store.” The American Disabilities Act of 1990 provides that anywhere the
public is allowed a service animal also is allowed, Murray said.’” (“Two War Vets Disagree Over
‘Service Dog’ In Athens Gun Store,” Athens Banner-Herald, 4/10/13)
Murray Noted That He Had Previously Entered Clyde Armory To Purchase Guns In The
Past
Murray Noted That He Had Previously Entered Clyde Armory To Purchase Guns In The
Past. “‘I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I kept my cool even though I was pretty upset
about it. It’s never happened before,” said Murray, who said he previously entered the gun store
with the dog to purchase guns and ammunition.” (“Two War Vets Disagree Over ‘Service Dog’ In Athens
Gun Store,” Athens Banner-Herald, 4/10/13)
Clyde Also Banned Murray From Entering His Store For Two Years For Violating The
Warning Not To Bring Other Dogs Into The Store
Clyde Also Banned Murray From Entering His Store For Two Years For Violating The
Warning Not To Bring Other Dogs Into The Store. “Murray called Athens-Clarke police,
which dispatched an officer to the store. “The store owner Andrew Clyde advised Murray the
store guard dog was currently in the store and other dogs were not allowed to enter,” according
to the report. “I advised Murray the store was private property, therefore, the owner of the
facility decides who is allowed to enter.” In the presence of the officer, Clyde barred Murray
from the store for two years and Murray acknowledged the consequences of violating the
warning. “I want this to be a safe environment, but when someone becomes confrontational and
refuses to follow instructions, at that point the only recourse is to ask them to leave,” said Clyde,
a veteran himself who served three combat tours in Iraq. “I fully understand service disabled
veterans and their rights, but I can’t have a situation like this,” he said.” (“Two War Vets Disagree
Over ‘Service Dog’ In Athens Gun Store,” Athens Banner-Herald, 4/10/13)
Clyde Did Not Apologize To Murray And Claimed That He Kicked Him Out Because
He Was Disturbing His Own Dog Whose “Sole Purpose” Was Security Despite No
Previous Indication Of The Dog’s Role
Clyde Did Not Apologize To Murray And Claimed He Kicked Him Out Because Of His
Own Dog’s “Sole Purpose” Of Store Security
Clyde, Who Noted That He Too Was A Disabled Veteran, Claimed That He Could Not
Allow His Store’s Security Dog To Be Disturbed. “Clyde told the station that under the
Americans With Disabilities Act, a business owner is allowed to ask a customer with a service
dog to leave if the dog is being disruptive. He said he's also a disabled veteran and understands
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Murray's needs but cannot allow his security job to be distracted to the point that it prevents her
from doing her job, according to the report.” (“Disabled Vet, Service Dog, Reportedly Kicked Out Of
Georgia Gun Store,” Fox News, 4/10/13)
• “Clyde, Who Did Not Want To Speak On Camera To FOX 5, Did Want To Point
Out That Under The Americans With Disabilities Act, A Business Owner Can Ask
A Person With A Service Dog To Leave If The Dog Is Being Disruptive Or If It
Alters The Way Business Is Conducted.” (“Disabled Veteran, Service Dog Told To Leave Gun
Shop,” Fox 5 Atlanta, 4/9/13)
In A Facebook Response, Clyde Claimed “The Dog’s Sole Purpose Is To Protect The
Employees And Customers From Any Threat Of Robbery, Theft Or Harm.” (Clyde Armory
Facebook Page, Posted 4/11/13)
Clyde Claimed Murray Seemed To Have A Vendetta Against Him. “Clyde “will learn the
law,” Murray said. “The ADA has a (penalty) of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine, so he’s going to
get something.” But Clyde feels as if Murray has a vendetta against him by contacting several
news outlets about the issue and by his parting words when he left the store. “His final words to
me ... ‘Don’t worry. I won’t be back until I own the place.’” Clyde said.” (“Two War Vets Disagree
Over ‘Service Dog’ In Athens Gun Store,” Athens Banner-Herald, 4/10/13)
Clyde Did Not Previously Indicate That His Dog Had Any Security Role
In A 2006 Picture, Clyde Did Not Refer To His Dog Kit As Having Any Security Purpose
And Described The Dog As “Our Customer Service Representative.” (Police Guns, Archived
1/24/06)
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Furthermore, Despite Being An Alleged Security Dog, Clyde Noted That He Had Difficulty
Restraining His Dog
Clyde Noted That His Dog Became Agitated When She Saw Murray’s Dog And That He
“Was Struggling To Hold My Doberman, Who Was Intently Focused On His Dog.” (Clyde
Armory Facebook Page, Posted 4/11/13)
Department Of Justice ADA Guidelines Would Suggest That Clyde Should Not Have
Asked Murray To Be Removed From The Premises
“John Beasley, Murray's Attorney, Told The Station That Businesses Are Required To
Make Accommodations And Could Have Brought The Merchandise Outside.” “John
Beasley, Murray's attorney, told the station that businesses are required to make accommodations
and could have brought the merchandise outside. "The issue is whether or not he was
accommodated for a service dog and clearly he wasn't, and that's a violation of the law," Beasley
told MyFoxAtlanta.com.” (“Disabled Vet, Service Dog, Reportedly Kicked Out Of Georgia Gun Store,” Fox
News, 4/10/13)
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• Clyde Reiterated That He Told His Business Manager To Not Make More Than
$10,000 In Deposits Due To His Store’s Insurance Policy. “Clyde was accused of
what's known as "structuring" -- that is, making deposits deliberately calculated to skirt
reporting requirements -- because he made frequent deposits just under $10,000. But
Clyde says he only did that because of his insurance policy. While most transactions at
Clyde Armory are not in cash, the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and
the potential for new firearms laws, drove sales. Clyde's business made millions of
dollars, about 15 percent of it in cash transactions. Clyde's business manager made daily
deposits, and based on the dollar value of his insurance policy -- capped at $10,000 -- the
company policy was to not ever hold more than $10,000 cash. The total cost of the IRS
ordeal for Clyde ran over $150,000 – including legal fees and a $50,000 settlement with
the IRS to get the rest of his money back. He pleaded Wednesday for Congress to change
the law so that no one else would be hurt like he has.” (“Small Business Owners Forced To
Battle IRS Over Seized Bank Accounts,” Fox News, 2/11/15)
Clyde Claimed He Settled The Case For $50,000 As A “Tactical Retreat” Given That
Felons Could Not Own Firearms Stores. “A felony is a serious matter for anybody, but it
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would kill Clyde's business, because felons can't own firearms stores. Clyde finally agreed to
settle the case for $50,000. "This was my tactical retreat, so I could live to fight another day …
and that day is today," Clyde told the committee. "I did not serve three combat tours in Iraq only
to come home and be extorted and shaken down by my government's corrupt use of civil
forfeiture laws. But that is what I feel they have done to me, and I need Congress to stop it from
happening to anyone else.’” (“IRS Seizes Millions From Law-Abiding Businesses; 3 Live To Tell House
About It,” The Business Journals, 2/11/15)
As A Result Of His Experience, Clyde Noted That He Worked To Pass The RESPECT Act
Which Would Only Allow Forfeiture For “Structuring” If The Money Comes From An
Illegal Source Or Is Used To Hide Illegal Activity. “Andrew Clyde, owner of an Athens
firearm business, is running for Georgia’s 9th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Clyde, a Republican, is a U.S. Navy veteran and “is running on a platform of limiting
government and expanding individual freedoms,” according to his campaign announcement.
Clyde was hit by civil asset forfeiture in 2013, when the Internal Revenue Service confiscated
about $940,000 from his gun shop, Clyde Armory. Federal agents ultimately found no issues and
returned $900,000 to Clyde. The experience inspired Clyde to go to Washington D.C. to
advocate for civil asset forfeiture reform. Clyde had been accused of “structuring,” or setting up
bank deposits in order to avoid reporting to the IRS. The RESPECT Act, signed by President
Donald Trump in 2019, changed IRS rules to only allow forfeiture for “structuring” if the money
comes from an illegal source or is used to hide illegal activity. Prosecutors are now required to
demonstrate probable cause that the seized money was somehow used illegally. “I never intended
to run for public office, but this experience showed me there is a very thin line between ‘We the
People’ running our government and our government running us,” Clyde said in a statement.
“This is the fight of our lifetime, and I won't back down.’” (“Athens Business Owner Andrew Clyde To
Run For 9th District In U.S. House,” Forsyth County News, 2/27/20)
Clyde Claims “With The Help Of President Trump, I Defeated The Corrupt IRS.”
(Habersham County Marketplace, Accessed 6/20/20)
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And Yet, Clyde Has Recently Earned AN $84,061 Contract To Equip The IRS In May
2020
Clyde Armory Inc. Was Awarded An $84,061 Contract To Provide Optical Sighting And
Ranging Equipment To The Department Of The Treasury Beginning On May 4, 2020 And
Ending On June 30, 2020. (USA Spending, Accessed 6/20/20)
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And Yet, Clyde Armory Has Made $3.6 Million In Federal Government Contracts Over
236 Transactions Since FY 2008
According To USASpending.gov, Clyde Armory Inc. Has Made $3.6 Million Over 236
Federal Transactions Since FY 2008. (USA Spending, Accessed 6/20/20)
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Former Clyde Armory Employee: “The Work Environment Provided By The Upper
Management Made It Uncomfortable Very Often In The Work Place.” (Indeed, Posted 9/16/18)
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At Least One Clyde Armory Employee Claimed She Was Filed A Harassment
Complaint And Was Fired After Being Told She Was Lying
Former Clyde Armory Employee: “Fired For Filing A Complaint About Harassment. Was
Told I Was Lying And Fired At The End Of My Shift. Illegal Retaliation.” (Inhersight,
Accessed 6/20/20)
At Least One Clyde Armory Employee Has Complained About Low Wages
Current Clyde Armory Employee Review: “Little To No Upward Mobility And Wages Are
Low.” (Indeed, Posted 3/19/19)
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The Video Displays A Graphic Incident In Which An Apparent Iraqi, Holding An RPG, Is
Shot And Killed By Gun Fire. (CourtesyofUSMarineshigh.wmv, Posted 2005; File Can Be Provided Upon
Request.)
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kit (all $760). The same day I took it to a range for some practice and the gun jammed after
every shot. The rangemaster had to disassemble the gun after both firing attempts to clear the
jam. I immediately took the weapon back to Clyde's and asked for an exchange or store credit so
I could purchase a different shotgun. I was told "no, there is no return on firearms or optics".
They offered to obtain a replacement barrel from Mossberg, but when it came in almost 4 weeks
later, the gun still jammed after every shot. Again, I returned to Clyde's and was told going
forward I now had to deal with the Mossberg warranty department. I asked to meet with the
Clyde, but was told he will not meet with me. Well, the firearm has been sent to Mossberg twice
now and it still jams after every 3 or 4 shots. I will never deal with Clyde's Armory again.” (Joe –
Customer Review: Clyde Armory, Better Business Bureau, Posted 6/6/19)
In 2012, A Clyde Armory Customer Criticized The Company And Claimed That It Had
Mishandled Paperwork Relating To The Purchase Of Machine Guns On Behalf Of A
Police Department. “You do not want to deal with this company when it comes to ANY class 2-
3 machine guns.. I bought 2 HK G36K's on May 30th of this year. (THEY WERE SELLING
THEM FOR A PD AND NEVER HAD THEM IN THERE POSSESSION) Took me a little
while to get my demo letter (7-2-12) but I got it and e-mailed it to Matt at Clyde Armory. He
sent it in and I waited. 9-1-12 I e-mail Matt and ask for a copy of the form 5. AS SOON as I
looked at it I could see the serial #'s where wrong.. 84-88888 85-88888.. Not that hard to see if
you would have looked at the form 5 before sending it off. Here is when it gets totally messed
up.. AN ERROR LETTER went out to the PD and nothing was ever done until I made A call just
checking in.. So he says sorry he will fix it. Then my demo letter gets kicked back. So I tell Matt
that I can only buy one. He then tells me what I need to put in my demo letter to get them both
approved. ( I guess he did not look at my demo letter) anyways once that's all done another 30
days goes by and nothing?? So I call the ATF and they say it was approved on the 10-10-12.. and
its 11-1-12?? I call Matt and tell him there approved he said wait 30 days, after 30 days I can ask
for a copy of the approved form 5 and then once I get that, I can e-mail Matt (Clyde Armory) a
copy and he will send it to the chief.. 11-2-12, I CALL the chief he says he never heard from
Matt??? I tell him he has my guns and they were approved on 10-10-12. He looks for the form 5
and finds it and says Clyde Armory never called me and told me to be on the look out for the
form 5.. He then tells me Clyde Armory wants him to ship the guns to them not me????? I told
the chief he better ship to the address on the approved form 5. Just before shipping I get an e-
mail from the chief telling me one of the front sights is broken on one of the guns... Clyde
Armory did send me a new site.. There is allot of other BS that when on but its to much to type..
ONCE THEY HAD MY FUNDS THEY COULD CARE LESS IF THE GUNS EVER
TRANSFERRED..... CLASS 2&3 FFL/SOT'S BEWARE!!!!” (Sniper Shide, Posted 11/4/12)
CLYDE ARMORY’S LAWSUIT AGAINST ATHENS-CLARKE
COUNTY’S SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDINANCE WAS DISMISSED
Clyde’s 2020 COVID-19 Related Lawsuit Appeared To Lack Substantive Legal
Arguments
In April 2020, Clyde Armory’s Lawsuit Against Athens-Clarke County’s Shelter-In-Place
Ordinance Describing It As “An Abuse Of Police Power” Was Dismissed After Both Sides
Agreed The Order Was Moot Following A Statewide Order. “A federal judge has dismissed
an Athens gun store’s lawsuit over Athens-Clarke County’s shelter-in-place ordinance. Clyde
Armory, owned by Republican U.S. Congressional candidate Andrew Clyde, filed suit against
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Athens-Clarke County last month, calling the emergency ordinance “an abuse of police power”
and asking that it be declared unconstitutional. Athens Marine and chiropractor Barry Hitchcock
and his Family Chiropractic of Athens joined Clyde Armory as plaintiffs as the lawsuit was
transferred from Athens-Clarke County Superior Court to federal court in Georgia’s Middle
District. An unemployed restaurant worker also joined the list of plaintiffs. U.S. District Court
Judge Ashley Royal dismissed the lawsuit after a brief hearing conducted by telephone Monday.
Both sides agreed that the local ordinance is moot now that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has
ordered a temporary statewide shelter-in-place ordinance, according to a transcript of the hearing
obtained by the Banner-Herald.” (“UPDATE: Gun Dealer’s Shelter-In-Place Lawsuit Dismissed,” Athens
Banner-Herald, 4/7/20)
Despite Agreeing That The Issue Was Moot, Clyde Armory’s Attorneys Claimed That The
Local Shelter In Place Order Was Still Illegal And Improper Despite Offering No Formal
Arguments To That Effect. “But they did not agree on whether the ordinance was legal, or
whether it posed any harm to the businesses that sued. All were among the businesses classified
as essential under the ordinance, and which therefore could remain open. “I suspect that Mr.
Clyde Armory was clearly advised, at least a week before they filed this lawsuit, that no action
would be taken to shut his gun store down,” said Ed Tolley of Cook and Tolley, the law firm
representing Athens-Clarke County. Royal questioned Clyde Armory lawyer Kevin Epps about
what he thought was wrong about the local ordinance. “What about this ordinance is
unconstitutional?” Royal asked. “You know, it would be a problem with closing down a gun
store. I couldn’t imagine why a chiropractor couldn’t do their work. And then, I think there is the
boat company, the marine component, and then the person that wants to work in a line of
business where there are currently now jobs anyway.” Another of the plaintiffs’ lawyers, Morris
Wiltshire, said there was confusion about the ordinance immediately after the Athens-Clarke
Commission enacted it, and that he still thought it was illegal. “We don’t think they had authority
to do it. And the constitutional issues with regard to residence of Athens-Clarke County and the
quarantine ... those are still very real. But again, the Governor has acted so the county’s
ordinance, which we do believe was improper, is moot. But I don’t think any of the concerns we
had when we filed the lawsuit or that had developed since then have gone away except for the
governor’s actions,” Wiltshire said.” (“UPDATE: Gun Dealer’s Shelter-In-Place Lawsuit Dismissed,” Athens
Banner-Herald, 4/7/20)
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