http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5419942
Chilis and Sonic became the latest national chains to wade into the gun debate on Friday, announcing in apparently coordinated statements that firearms are no longer welcome in their restaurants.
In separate statements to The Huffington Post, the companies said that they were asking customers not to openly carry firearms in their eateries, following*a similar move by Chipotleearlier this month.
We recognize that the open carry of firearms creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and is not permitted under many local liquor laws, Ashley Johnson, a spokeswoman for Chili's' parent company, Brinker International, said in an email. 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.
A Sonic spokesman said the company will defer to local laws with respect to storing guns in vehicles, but said it will no longer permit firearms in its dining areas.
Were asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dining areas, said Patrick Lenow, Sonic's vice president of public relations.
He acknowledged that, before the company set the policy, he "spoke to a number of my peers at non-competing restaurant concepts" this week.
Johnson also suggested the statement was coordinated. "When issues like this happen, we always talk to others in the industry to get their perspective," she said
Both spokespeople said that the recent shooting in Isla Vista, California, did not affect the timing of their announcements.
Chilis told HuffPost last week it was reviewing its policy, which had been to follow local laws, after a video surfaced of activists from the group Open Carry Texas bringing assault rifles and other heavy firearms into a San Antonio location. The protesters were asked to leave after upsetting other diners.
Chilis and Sonic became the latest national chains to wade into the gun debate on Friday, announcing in apparently coordinated statements that firearms are no longer welcome in their restaurants.
In separate statements to The Huffington Post, the companies said that they were asking customers not to openly carry firearms in their eateries, following*a similar move by Chipotleearlier this month.
We recognize that the open carry of firearms creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and is not permitted under many local liquor laws, Ashley Johnson, a spokeswoman for Chili's' parent company, Brinker International, said in an email. 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.
A Sonic spokesman said the company will defer to local laws with respect to storing guns in vehicles, but said it will no longer permit firearms in its dining areas.
Were asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dining areas, said Patrick Lenow, Sonic's vice president of public relations.
He acknowledged that, before the company set the policy, he "spoke to a number of my peers at non-competing restaurant concepts" this week.
Johnson also suggested the statement was coordinated. "When issues like this happen, we always talk to others in the industry to get their perspective," she said
Both spokespeople said that the recent shooting in Isla Vista, California, did not affect the timing of their announcements.
Chilis told HuffPost last week it was reviewing its policy, which had been to follow local laws, after a video surfaced of activists from the group Open Carry Texas bringing assault rifles and other heavy firearms into a San Antonio location. The protesters were asked to leave after upsetting other diners.
