Chipotle says leave your guns at home

[Zundfolge]

I still have a problem with how Chipotle handled this. If they don't want people open to carry in their restaurant, fine with me, put up a sign that addresses that problem "No open carry or long guns permitted". But when they made a decision to prohibit concealed as well and only allow LEO carry then they have now kowtowed to the anti gun types and I will support a boycott. It is the principal of completely giving in to anti 2A girls that offends me, they continue to chip away and we don't make a stand. Just because those idiots do something as stupid as open carrying AK's and we agree, so that makes it OK for us to agree with there complete gun ban decision. It was an over reaction on Chipotle's part that I won't condone. And yes I love their burritos, but no more for me.

I guess that's the $64 question ... did they outright ban CCW or just conspicuous open carry (especially of long guns)? The statement from someone at Chipotle I saw was unclear.

“The issue of gun ownership or gun rights has become one of the most contentious debates in the country. Chipotle has never taken a position on this issue, as we focus instead on our mission to change the way people think about and eat fast food.
Recently participants from an “open carry” demonstration in Texas brought guns (including military-style assault rifles) into one of our restaurants, causing many of our customers anxiety and discomfort. Because of this, we are respectfully asking that customers not bring guns into our restaurants, unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel.
Historically, we felt it enough to simply comply with local laws regarding the open or concealed carrying of firearms, because we believe that it is not fair to put our team members in the uncomfortable position of asking that customers refrain from bringing guns into our restaurants. However, because the display of firearms in our restaurants has now created an environment that is potentially intimidating or uncomfortable for many of our customers, we think it is time to make this request.
We acknowledge that there are strong arguments on both sides of this issue. We have seen those differing positions expressed in the wake of this event in Texas, where pro-gun customers have contacted us to applaud our support of the Second Amendment, and anti-gun customers have expressed concern over the visible display of military-style assault rifles in restaurants where families are eating. The vast majority of gun owners are responsible citizens and we appreciate them honoring this request. And we hope that our customers who oppose the carrying of guns in public agree with us that it is the role of elected officials and the legislative process to set policy in this area, not the role of businesses like Chipotle.
We always welcome the exchange of ideas and opinions: it is one of the many things that make our country such a special place. But this issue is not central to the operation of our business, and we do not feel that our restaurants should be used as a platform for either side of the debate.”

I don't see any sort of press release on their Investor Relations page. http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml...75&p=irol-news

[MarkCO]

I saw the story on the news last night, and read the response. I have NO PROBLEM at all with Chipotle's response. We live in an anti-gun litigious society. If they did not respond like they did, and a person felt "threatened" by an open carry gun, then they open themselves to a lawsuit from a patron or employee. Businesses have restrictions on them, especially to employees. If you think that an employee who felt intimidated would not have grounds to sue, you have other issues to deal with first. I say they did the best they could having been dealt a bad card. Had Chipotle yesterday!

If those two idiots had any tact, they would not have done what they did. Also, I see nowhere that they have stated CC is not allowed in their stores. A smart person lets it lie folks!

[TheWeeze]

I don't see the problem with Chipotle's reaction. They had a situation come up in which some of their customers felt they were not safe, or as they put it caused 'anxiety and discomfort.' So they responded. They're asking people not to cause trouble. I can respect that.

[cfortune]

Hmmm. Got a call this morning to interview at Chipolte (their corporate HQ, not making burritos lol). This will probably influence my decision a bit.

[UrbanWolf]

Those open carriers look Operator as fuck....

[HoneyBadger]

Those open carriers look Operator as fuck....

Honestly, if I was at a fast food joint and these two clowns walked in, I'd leave in the quietest manner possible, whether I was armed or not.

[StagLefty]

Honestly, if I was at a fast food joint and these two clowns walked in, I'd leave in the quietest manner possible, whether I was armed or not.

They certainly don't represent the majority of gun owners I know-including probably most members here !!!

[TheWeeze]

Those open carriers look Operator as fuck....

As far as I'm concerned the dude on the right is brandishing his firearm, not carrying it. If I didn't know any better he'd be causing me 'anxiety and discomfort' as well carrying like that around people. I don't know if it's loaded, why is his finger so fucking close to the trigger? Why is he wearing sunglasses inside? Are we in danger?

[HoneyBadger]

They certainly don't represent the majority of gun owners I know-including probably most members here !!!

Obviously, hence the problem.

As far as I'm concerned the dude on the right is brandishing his firearm, not carrying it. If I didn't know any better he'd be causing me 'anxiety and discomfort' as well carrying like that around people. I don't know if it's loaded, why is his finger so fucking close to the trigger? Why is he wearing sunglasses inside? Are we in danger?

Agreed. As I said above, I would have quietly evacuated the building upon seeing these idiots.

[Jer]

A lot of the antis believe that only hillbilly looking people would ever carry a gun. Even people with no stance probably believe that stereotype. But since they never see "normal" people carrying, they might be inclined to vote for politicians who would limit gun rights.

Seeing more normal looking people openly carrying might help those in the middle understand that it's not just hillbillys and wanna-be rambos who own/carry guns.

I can't think of any other right where the right is only protected if the people practice that right in secret.

That said, I CC most of the time, but as summer gets here and I'm wearing fewer layers, I'll be open carrying occasionally as well.

No matter what you say or how often you do this.... a place of business packed with people of various 'types' with AR15's slung will never be normal. Ever.

Thankfully.

Have you ever been a foreign country where the military/police are prevalent and all carry long guns in-hand? How easy does that make you feel? I don't want to live in a country where this is normal and commonplace. Be careful what you wish for. That same battle can be 'won' by simply getting more people involved and applying for CCW permits. This idea that we have to swing our dicks in their faces to force them to conceded through shock is hurting more than it's helping.

The whole Chipotle thing is actually a REACTION to a large group of people who showed up to 'show support' for a pro2A business by slinging up AR15's and AK47's... I can't blame Chipotle to be honest with you. You may be comfortable with it but not all of their customers are and if it were a large group of gay males making out in their restaurant simply because they stated they weren't anti-gay... how would you react? I know a lot of people are going to belly ache about how it's nowhere near the same because one is constitutionally protected but it doesn't affect the reaction regardless of the protection. Your reaction is the same as someone ignorant to firearms. Hell, I'm not even ignorant to firearms and when I'm in Mexico and a military group of soldiers 5 across and 30 or so deep marches by with MP5's in hand or a pick-up truck with 10 Federalis w/M4's in hand pulls up... I get uneasy. We live in a society that isn't yet numb to that and I for one don't want to speed up that likely process towards comfort among militarization. You want to fight the cause? Get a CCW permit and help someone else get one who's 'pro gun' yet doesn't have a permit or the foggiest idea how to go about it.

I know people want to do good but moves like this to shock people aren't doing us good their harming our cause more than anything.