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Jim’s West Steaks & Hoagies reopened in West Philadelphia. Eager customers lined up around the building.

“I’m so excited,” customer Nitah Dunham, of West Philadelphia, told WPVI. “The food has always been good.”

Yet, something new caught their eye: armed agents stood guard carrying long guns.

Co-owner Cortez Johnson explained the beefed-up security detail.

“The violence has spiked,” said Johnson. “It goes up and down. You want people to feel safe and be safe. So when they come out and eat, they don’t have to worry about no type of harm.”

“Our lines are down the block, so while you’re standing here in line, connecting with other people you may not know, we have security right here just to keep you guys safe,” added Saul Landers, the CFO of Jim’s West.

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They hope the guards deter crime.

Kevon Darden, the owner of Presidential Protection Services, spoke about the agents he has working at Jim’s West Steaks & Hoagies.

“It’s not just myself,” explained Darden. “It’s usually other agents who are sworn and certified by the state of Pennsylvania to do security work when they’re off duty. All of us are former military, police, or have law enforcement backgrounds.”

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These agents are present from Thursday to Sunday.

For the most part, feedback from the customers is positive.

“Safety and good food is always a plus,” said Dunham.

It would be interesting to hear what gun control activists have to say about the situation at Jim’s West.

They often claim no one “needs” an AR-style rifle. But clearly the proprietors of this Philly cheesesteak shop feel differently. Because they know the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun.

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