Who is the president of Roof EZ? Florida company receives backlash as it offers free AR-15s and frozen turkey with roof purchases
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA: Following the launch of a promotion on Wednesday, November 1, that gave away an AR-15 and a turkey to anyone who purchased a roof, Jason Polly, the innovative President of Roof EZ in Cape Coral, Florida, anticipates an increase in business this month.
In an interview, Roof EZ president Polly stated that the company's "Roof and Gobble" campaign encourages clients to use an AR-15 for protection, gather their families over a Thanksgiving meal, and protect their houses with a roof.
Roof EZ reportedly advertised on its Facebook page that it is giving clients who buy a roof a free turkey and an AR-15 with their purchase, per information obtained by CBS News affiliate WINK.
Jason Polly explained how he got the idea of AR-15 and turkey to launch promotion
Roof EZ president Polly announced on Facebook on November 1 that buyers would receive a free AR-15 gun along with a free turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner with every roof purchased in November.
Polly has been drawing attention more quickly than a hurricane in Florida with his well-crafted sales pitch, which blends self-defense and comfort for the house.
"Everybody should have an AR-15," declared Polly. "Everybody should have the means to protect their homes and their family. It’s not really catered to anybody, any state, any political view, anything like that. It’s all about safety."
Polly highlighted that the promotion pertains to basic constitutional rights, per NBC News.
"If someone has the means to buy a roof, they have the means to go buy their own firearm," Polly stated.
"They’re just buying a roof and supporting our Second Amendment right. I support everybody’s First Amendment right. ... They can reciprocate and respect my Second Amendment rights."
Polly appeared unperturbed by the commotion and provided a very simple explanation for the graphic designing promo.
The Roof EZ president told Southwest Florida's NBC2, "The turkey will get you all sitting at the table so you can spend time together. The roof will protect your home, and the AR-15 will protect your family."
He also added that he received the idea from an Alabama company that carried out a similar operation and reasoned, "This is the most Florida thing you can do. Let’s do it."
According to Polly, the Cape Coral company has sold 8 roofs in two working days and received over 50 inquiries on the promotion.
He further anticipates that the promotion will allow it to sell 60 to 100 roofs, as opposed to the 30 to 50 it normally sells in a month.
According to Polly, the company's lawyers have confirmed that the campaign is lawful. He clarified that Roof EZ is collaborating with a Cape Coral gun store.
Polly stated that anyone who purchases a roof as a result of the campaign will not be able to pick up the gun until after the campaign is completed.
Customers can pick up an AR-15 valued around $500 immediately if they have concealed carry permits, he said.
According to state law, if they don't have permits, they must wait three days or the time it takes to clear a background check.
As per the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), assault firearms do not include the AR-15 or comparable semi-automatic weapons.
Like a machine gun, an assault rifle operates entirely automatically. Therefore, the "AR" in AR-15 does not stand for "assault rifle," but rather for ArmaLite, the firm that created it in the 1950s.
Roof EZ sparks backlash as not everyone was thrilled with the post
Many Second Amendment supporters praised the post on social media, but not everyone was overjoyed with it.
In an interview with WINK, Patti Brigham, the president of Gun Violence Florida, claimed that the sales program was "adding to a culture of gun violence."
She added, "Why would a business want to give away AR-15s? To those getting a new roof? What is the purpose of that? It is a destructive thing to do. That business is just adding to a culture of gun violence. The AR-15 is the choice of mass shooters."
Social media users also slammed the Florida roofing company on X (formerly Twitter), with one writing, "God Bless America….. #ROOFEZ will offer a free AR-15 and a turkey when you buy a new roof."
A second X user slammed and wrote, "Are owners of Roof EZ in Cape Coral FL, Jordan and Hayley Gilewski, aware of the 18 people murdered in Maine with an AR-15 type weapon? That’s absolutely insane!!"
"Would You Join Me in Boycotting Roof EZ? Company is Offering a Free AR-15 Assault Rifle and a Free Turkey with Every order," wrote a third one.
A fourth one questioned, "If more proof was needed that Florida is going to hell in a hand basket. Here it is. Roof EZ in Cape Coral Fl, is having a Roof and Gobble Special this month. With the purchase of a new roof you get a free AR and a free turkey. What are your thoughts?"
"Are you f***ing kidding me?! Roof EZ promotes killing humans, because these guns aren't for shooting rabbits... or turkeys," slammed another X user.
One more wrote, "I’m watching our local news with my jaw on the ground. WTH?? How is this even legal?! Roof EZ Florida roofing company launches promotion offering an AR-15 and a turkey."
God Bless America….. #ROOFEZ will offer a free AR-15 and a turkey when you buy a new roof. https://t.co/Bj8bAejtP8 pic.twitter.com/BKy3QbFLMO
— 𝕏 𝔻𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕪 𝕂𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕞𝕖𝕣 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@DannyKushmer) November 2, 2023
Are owners of Roof EZ in Cape Coral FL, Jordan and Hayley Gilewski, aware of the 18 people murdered in Maine with an AR-15 type weapon? That’s absolutely insane!! pic.twitter.com/cJAFHTRr8N
— 🪴Laurie (@Laurieluvsmolly) November 2, 2023
Would You Join Me in Boycotting Roof EZ?
— J (@jasonllevin) November 3, 2023
Company is Offering a Free AR-15 Assault Rifle and a Free Turkey with Every order.https://t.co/wQQp3UGO5c
If more proof was needed that Florida is going to hell in a hand basket. Here it is.
— Suzanne (@suzyinthesun_s) November 1, 2023
Roof EZ in Cape Coral Fl, is having a Roof and Gobble Special this month.
With the purchase of a new roof you get a free AR and a free turkey.
What are your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/H6lXosi8X1
Are you fucking kidding me?!
— Kristin McFall 🏳️🌈💙🎨🎭🎤 (@kristin_mcfall) November 3, 2023
Roof EZ promotes killing humans, because these guns aren't for shooting rabbits... or turkeys.
Florida roofing company launches promotion offering an AR-15 and a turkey https://t.co/VBEhdktuoV via @nbcnews
I’m watching our local news with my jaw on the ground. WTH?? How is this even legal?! Roof EZ 🤬 Florida roofing company launches promotion offering an AR-15 and a turkey https://t.co/OnRohQFmRA
— Heather Mac (@TrvlinJunkie) November 3, 2023