Sonic And Chili’s Restaurants Says ‘No Guns Allowed’ With No Gun Policies

The corporate decision of “no gun” policies in restaurants is growing by the day as drive-in restaurant chain, Sonic, and grill & bar chain, Chili’s, become the next two restaurants to announce that customers can enjoy their food, but without their guns.

According to a report by USA Today, the “no gun policies” were announced on Friday, May 30, 2014. They follow after recent demonstration by open-carry activists who brought rifles and shotguns into Sonic, Chili’s, and Chipotle Mexican Grill outlets in Texas. Brinker International, the parent company for Chili’s, made a statement about their “no gun” policies inclusion:

“We recognize that the open carry of firearms in restaurants 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 all continue to follow state and local laws on this issue.”

The initial part of the statement may most likely be just for Texas since the state law prohibits rifles and shotguns where alcohol is served. As for Sonic, their no gun policies was made after historically relying on local laws “to guide how we address the display of guns at drive-ins, recent actions required we carefully reconsider this approach” according to a report by Huffington Post. However, it should be recognized that Sonic is a drive-in. Customers simply drive their vehicle up to a parking spot and order there, ergo they may have a concealed gun in their vehicle. Ergo, their “no gun policy” is primarily for their patio and sit-down dining areas, as explained in an official statement by Patrick Lenow, vice president of public relations:

“We’re asking that customers refrain from bringing guns onto our patios or into our indoor dinging areas.”

The reason for the no gun policies were not just the public display of carry-on firearms, but also the pressure pertaining to gun control, gun ownership rights, and to some, an attack on the 2nd Amendment. We’ve even reported how the coffee giant, Starbucks, incorporated their own “no gun policy,” here on The Inquisitr. Also, the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America may have something to do with it, too. Apparently, the advocate group is being heard since Chipotle is the first out of the three to adopt to the “no gun policies.”

Nevertheless, “no gun” policies may backfire. CJ Grisham, the president of Open Carry Texas, said in a statement that they will comply with businesses, but gun-free zones, due to “no gun policies” may leave customers and employees defenseless in a situation, which he made in a statement:

“We have always honored private property rights. Gun free zones have only proven that criminals don’t read signs.”

[Image via Sonic Promotions]