Man accused of pulling gun on couple wearing MAGA hats

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Tennessee man is charged with first-degree wanton endangerment after witnesses told police he pulled a gun on a man who was wearing Make America Great Again hat inside Sam’s Club.

The hat is associated with President Donald Trump’s campaign for office.

James Phillips, 57, of Cottontown, Tenn., is accused of pulling a gun on the man inside the store Saturday after making an obscene gesture with his finger, according to his arrest citation.

Phillips, who was wearing a veterans cap, told police he made the gesture at the man and a woman with him because of the MAGA hats they were wearing, according to his citation. The man then confronted Phillips inside the store and an argument began.

That man then made the same obscene gesture to Phillips, according to the citation. At that point, witnesses told police Phillips pointed a gun at the man. That portion of the incident could not be seen on video surveillance.

Police encountered Phillips and the couple after being called to the Sam’s Club parking lot where multiple witnesses had called the police to report a man pulling a gun on a couple, according to his citation.

Callers told police the man, later identified as Phillips, told the woman, “it’s a good day to die b…..”

In his rear right pocket, Phillips was carrying a concealed .40 caliber Glock with a bullet chambered. He had two extra magazines in his left cargo pocket, according to his arrest citation.

He holds a concealed carry permit from Tennessee which has a reciprocal agreement with Kentucky for concealed carry licenses.

Phillips is lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail.