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WhataBurger
grumpygy
Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
Just had an A-1 Thick and Hearty Burger. Good stuff right there! One of my favorites.
Yum!
[:D]
Yum!
[:D]
Comments
quote:An iconic Texas restaurant chain will not allow the open carrying of guns on its properties, and industry experts say other restaurants will likely take the same stand against a new state law legalizing the practice in many public places.
Whataburger - with some 780 locations in 10 states - has drawn a mix of praise and rebuke since making the announcement this month, including a prediction of boycotts from one of the state's leading advocates for gun rights.
In an open letter on the company's website, Whataburger president and CEO Preston Atkinson said many employees and customers are "uncomfortable being around someone with a visible firearm." He described himself as an avid hunter with a concealed-carry license and noted that patrons licensed to carry concealed handguns will still be able to do so in Whataburger.
Atkinson's letter comes one month after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that made it legal to carry handguns openly on the streets of the nation's second most-populous state, ending a prohibition dating back to the post-Civil War era that disarmed former Confederate soldiers and freed slaves.
The law, which gives private property owners the right to prohibit open carry, was hailed as a victory for gun rights advocates who have staged high-profile rallies at the Alamo and Texas Capitol over the past couple of years. Some even brought military-style assault rifles into businesses as part of their demonstrations, prompting the Chipotle restaurant chain to discourage firearms on their premises.
Whataburger's decision is expected to pave the way for other restaurants to enact similar policies that will further limit where gun owners can openly carry their firearms when the law takes effect in January.
Texas Restaurant Association CEO Richie Jackson said he wasn't surprised by Whataburger's advance announcement, noting that "gun rights do not trump property rights" under the new law.
"It can't be kept a secret," he said. "Given the number of units that they have in Texas, they just wanted to make it very clear as to where they were going to be, and I would expect to see a number of restaurants follow."
But Open Carry Texas founder C.J. Grisham said Whataburger's policy was "premature and irresponsible," and that the restaurant caved to "fear mongering."
"I think most gun owners that know this policy are simply not going to go to Whataburger, like me," he said.
The group Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America put out a statement applauding Whataburger's actions. The organization has successfully petitioned other chains, including Sonic and Chili's Grill & Bar, to adopt similar policies.
Stephanie Lundy, spokeswoman for the organization's Texas chapter, said she has spoken to mothers who have teenage children working in the company's restaurants late at night. "They do not feel that part of their job description should involve assessing the intention of armed folks," she said.
She described Atkinson's announcement as "good old Texas common sense."
"Texans are bold and brave," she said. "And that is what you are seeing from this CEO who is a gun owner."
Patrons have reacted in different ways.
Outside a Whataburger in San Antonio, Charlie Hair said he would feel safer if the chain allowed customers to openly carry firearms. "I prefer an armed society to an unarmed one," he said as he exited with his 8-year-old son.
But Mary Jones, who was with her 15-year-old grandson, said she was happy that Whataburger took a stand against open carry.
"Why do you need to bring a gun into a store where there are kids?" she asked. "We are not in the Wild, Wild West.
I don't care what a company decides. No happys, no Rebel flags, no service without shirts, no cell phones - all fine with me. I'll either patronize them or not, but they can make whatever decision they like. And I'll make mine.
hey the guy says no open carry, ccw is fine. I don't have a problem with that.
Oh no,that was "Big Kahoona burger"..[:D]
I don't wish to hijack the thread, but I've honestly never understood the fascination with open carry. It's not allowed here in FL, but even if it was I wouldn't do it. just my personal opinion. I go to whataburger on occasion here in FL, while carrying concealed, and I'll probably continue to do so.
I don't get it ether, if I was to go off the deep end and start shooting, guess who would be the first target
I don't believe in advertising , some like the feeling of power and intimidation I guess
but with an open carry law, I feel its good only if I get out of my car and my shirt sticks up I cant get popped for it
quote:Originally posted by reload999
I don't wish to hijack the thread, but I've honestly never understood the fascination with open carry. It's not allowed here in FL, but even if it was I wouldn't do it. just my personal opinion. I go to whataburger on occasion here in FL, while carrying concealed, and I'll probably continue to do so.
I don't get it ether, if I was to go off the deep end and start shooting, guess who would be the first target
I don't believe in advertising , some like the feeling of power and intimidation I guess
but with an open carry law, I feel its good only if I get out of my car and my shirt sticks up I cant get popped for it
I agree with this.
Jon
You announce a policy of restriction immediately.
Have there been problems?
I really doubt the law change will result in all gun owners suddenly swinging iron on their hips. There are occasions when people will do that. But I think most will continue doing what they have been doing. Concealed or no carry at all. Or is that even legal in Texas now?
So it looks like a PC move, and probably the management's anti-gun belief outed.
Did they prohibit concealed carry before?
I don't know. Never seen a Whataburger. Probably never will. Won't eat there if I do.
The Whattabassturd said people were "uncomfortable being around someone with a visible firearm". I haven't seen any invisible firearms yet. Oh, that's right, I wouldn't see them, would I?
If the sight of a pistol on a belt is so frightening to the masses, then why don't we require all LEOs to conceal their sidearms as well?
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
... LOVES TEXAS
AND-I don't want to be the first target, simply because it would negate my ability to do any good.
Dan
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1-fan
quote:Originally posted by reload999
I don't wish to hijack the thread, but I've honestly never understood the fascination with open carry. It's not allowed here in FL, but even if it was I wouldn't do it. just my personal opinion. I go to whataburger on occasion here in FL, while carrying concealed, and I'll probably continue to do so.
I don't get it ether, if I was to go off the deep end and start shooting, guess who would be the first target
I don't believe in advertising , some like the feeling of power and intimidation I guess
but with an open carry law, I feel its good only if I get out of my car and my shirt sticks up I cant get popped for it
I agree with this.
Jon
SC has a law to protect you from it, CC state. Smart law. Actually had a few great laws on the book when I lived there. Pretty much common sense stuff unlike other states.
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1-fan
quote:Originally posted by reload999
I don't wish to hijack the thread, but I've honestly never understood the fascination with open carry. It's not allowed here in FL, but even if it was I wouldn't do it. just my personal opinion. I go to whataburger on occasion here in FL, while carrying concealed, and I'll probably continue to do so.
I don't get it ether, if I was to go off the deep end and start shooting, guess who would be the first target
I don't believe in advertising , some like the feeling of power and intimidation I guess
but with an open carry law, I feel its good only if I get out of my car and my shirt sticks up I cant get popped for it
I agree with this.
Jon
SC has a law to protect you from it, CC state. Smart law. Actually had a few great laws on the book when I lived there. Pretty much common sense stuff unlike other states.
Will they ban samesexuals with guns?
Too old to live...too young to die...
I don't care that people carry open. It could make someone think twice. What I don't like are the ones who dress like there GI Joe in public. How much gear do you have to put on to show that your carrying.... I live in Ga and see at least one person like this a week. Think they look stupid. It's there right do what you wish but a lot of people think you look stupid.
The only one I see regularly is this character... You may know him, he lives out your way.....
I do like that with my Weapons Permit I "can" carry open. In case my shirt gets hiked up or something happens I dont get busted for "brandishing". Trust me I have friends that got hassled for that. It was eventually dropped but at significant legal expense.....
And as Rocky notes, the Jalapeno Burger at WhataBurger is pretty tasty....
I heard that somewhere and took it to heart.While I would always prefer the element of surprise on my side,I see no problem with law abiding,well trained citizen open carrying.
Go look at the off duty officer take out the drug store robbers.If they walked in,saw he was carrying open,it may have ended very differently.
His gun was concealed and he got the "DROP" on and dropped the #1 perp in 1 sec.FLAT!![^]
they want to harass you. they see you carrying a gun and figure you can't shoot them so they punch you or spit on you. what are you going to do? and they just got the "thrill" of doing that to someone with a gun.
or someone looking to pick a fight that doesn't mind getting in a gunfight. sees you walking down the street with a gun on your side and that's too much to bear.
or some thugs who would really like that gun on your hip. do you really feel safe walking around with a 1000$ item in a holster in plain view?? you're going to get ambushed.
You can't tell me they have never seen this in Texas?
Trinity +++
"A visibly armed society,is a polite society"
The actual quote is "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
Robert A. Heinlein Beyond This Horizon