While there are many businesses across the United States who welcome open-carry patrons, along with whatever weapons they wish to tote around as they shop or dine, there are also those who have made it very clear they do not want guns brought into their establishments.
At the present time, only 5 states and Washington, D.C., ban open carry in public places, but a business can issue their own no-gun policies. And in a recent poll, ?fact, ?55 percent of Americans said they would prefer that shops and restaurants not allow guns.
Here are seven businesses that have made it clear guns are not welcome in their locations:
1. Whataburger
What makes this one so amazing is that Whataburger is based in Texas.?Whataburger President and CEO Preston Atkinson said of his company’s decision:
“We’ve had many customers and employees tell us they’re uncomfortable being around someone with a visible firearm who is not a member of law enforcement, and as a business, we have to listen and value that feedback. We have a responsibility to make sure everyone who walks into our restaurants feels comfortable. For that reason, we don’t restrict licensed concealed carry but do ask customers not to open carry in our restaurants.”
2. Chipotle
Chipotle’s ban started?after a group of open carry activists appeared in a Dallas-area store, complete with military-style assault rifles. The gun-control advocacy group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America started a petition for Chipotle to publicly denounce the open carry of firearms in its restaurants, and the company complied.
3. Panera Bread
In a statement, Panera clearly explained why they don’t want guns in their restaurants:
“Within our company, we strive to create Panera Warmth. This warmth means bakery-cafes where customers and associates feel comfortable and welcome. To this end, we ask that guns not be brought into this environment unless carried by an authorized law enforcement officer. Panera respects the rights of gun owners, but asks our customers to help preserve the environment we are working to create for our guests and associates.”
4. Sonic
Sonic decided in 2014 that guns in plain sight were not welcome in their restaurants, and?Patrick Lenow, Sonic’s vice president of public relations said:
“While we historically have relied upon 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. Accordingly, we’re asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dining areas.”
5. Chili’s?
Headquartered in Dallas,?Chili’s’ parent company, Brinker International, also owns Sonic, and said in a statement:
“We recognize that the open carry of firearms creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and is not permitted under many local liquor laws. 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.?
6. Starbucks
In 2013, CEO Howard Schultz wrote an open letter to customers about the controversial issue of open carry:
“Recently … we’ve seen the ‘open carry’ debate become increasingly uncivil and, in some cases, even threatening. Pro-gun activists have used our stores as a political stage for media events misleadingly called ‘Starbucks Appreciation Days’ that disingenuously portray Starbucks as a champion of ‘open carry.’ To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores. Some anti-gun activists have also played a role in ratcheting up the rhetoric and friction, including soliciting and confronting our customers and partners. For these reasons, today we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas?even in states where ‘open carry’ is permitted?unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel.”
7. Target
Target also banned open-carry of guns in their stores in 2014, and when doing so remarked:
“This is a complicated issue, but it boils down to a simple belief: Bringing firearms to Target creates an environment that is at odds with the family-friendly shopping and work experience we strive to create.”
