No Guns Allowed! Restaurants Smack Down ‘Open Carry’ Bullies

Anguished cries of “but… but… b-b-but… Second Amendment protect my family from Obama tyranny stand my ground FREEEDUM!!!?!” in 3… 2… 1…

Sonic Drive-In and Chili’s Grill & Bar have added their corporate voices to a growing list of food firms asking patrons to enjoy their meals without their guns.

The announcements Friday follow recent demonstrations by open-carry activists who brought rifles and shotguns into Sonic, Chili’s and Chipotle Mexican Grill outlets in Texas.

“We recognize that the open carry of firearms in restaurants creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and is not permitted under many local liquor laws,” said a statement from Brinker International, Chili’s Dallas-based parent. “So, we kindly ask that guests refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants and we will continue to follow state and local laws on this issue.”

Texas law prohibits rifles and shotguns where alcohol is served.

In its statement, Sonic said that although the company has historically relied on local laws “to guide how we address the display of guns at drive-ins, recent actions required we carefully reconsider this approach.”

“We’ve considered the views and desires of our customers and employees that staff the drive-ins across the country,” the Oklahoma City-based company said. “Accordingly, we’re asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dining areas. With respect to the storage of guns in vehicles, we ask that our customers continue to honor local laws.”

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America had lobbied Chipotle, Chili’s and Sonic to ban open carrying of guns in their restaurants.

By: dave-dr-gonzo

David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.

* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.