A delivery man violates Pizza Hut’s policy by legally carrying a firearm on the job — an act that would end up potentially saving his life. His reward for defending himself when a robber holds a gun to his head during a delivery? A suspension from the pizza giant.

A Des Moines pizza driver who was suspended from his job after he shot an armed robber said today he has been overwhelmed by support from people who cheered what happened.

“But no one had contacted me directly about a job offer,” said James William Spiers III, 38, who was sent home by Pizza Hut managers after he fired multiple shots at a man who put a gun to his head Thursday and demanded money …

Spiers, who has a valid handgun permit, said he’s been “pretty much in the dark” about his job since the incident. Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources at Pizza Hut’s corporate offices in Dallas, said last week that employees are not allowed to carry guns “because we believe that that is the safest for everybody.”

“I just know that, given what happened, it’s not likely I’ll have a job anyway,” Spiers said. “Right now, I’m just taking some time off, trying to cool things down.”

As Ed Morrissey (see first link) writes, it’s Pizza Hut’s prerogative to set the employment conditions it does. It has every right to demand delivery men have no right to self defense in a dangerous job and end up potentially killed in an armed robbery. If Pizza Hut thinks great customer service is a customer finding a delivery man shot in the head on a doorstep, that’s the company’s decision.

But also as Ed says, we have a say, too. Nothing requires us to continue supporting a corporation that would leave its employees defenseless, rather than recognize the need for self defense. If you’d like to air your opinion on the situation directly to Spiers’ former employer, you can call 1-800-948-8488.

A Hot Air commenter reminds us of other brands owned by Pizza Hut’s parent company, Yum Brands: Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and A&W Restaurants.