Why Whataburger is banning open carry of guns in Texas locations
Whataburger 鈥� the popular regional fast-food outlet 鈥� is taking aim at Texas gun owners with a new policy that prohibits hungry visitors from openly carrying firearms while eating their No. 1听with a side of fries.
Based in San Antonio, the restaurant chain has roughly 780 locations in 10 states and employs more than 30,000 people. 听
Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) of Texas signed legislation into law that allows citizens of the Lone Star State to visibly carry handguns in belt or shoulder holsters in many public places. The legislation also allows private property owners to prohibit open carry, and the Whataburger locations in Texas are choosing that option.
In an open letter posted on the company鈥檚 , Whataburger president and CEO Preston Atkinson wrote, 鈥淲e鈥檝e had many customers and employees tell us they鈥檙e uncomfortable being around someone with a visible firearm who is not a member of law enforcement ....鈥�
Open Carry Texas founder C.J. Grisham said Whataburger's policy was "premature and irresponsible,鈥� according to .
"I think most gun owners that know this policy are simply not going to go to Whataburger, like me," he said.
Current state law allows residents 21 years or older and citizens on active military duty to apply for a concealed gun license after undergoing a background check, taking classes, and passing written and hands-on tests. The new law extends such rights, allowing those with concealed-carry licenses the additional privilege of openly carrying their guns.
A last-minute change to the law removed a provision that would have banned law enforcement officials from stopping a person openly carrying a firearm to check for a valid gun license.
The bill passed the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature on mainly party-line votes, according to "."
Public support for the matter seems tepid at best. In February, a found that 22 percent of Texans were in support of open carry of firearms with a license.
The law, which goes into effect in January, makes Texas the 45th state to allow people to openly carry guns. Only California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and South Carolina prohibit open carry.
A released by Moms Demand Action, a gun control advocacy group, came out in support of Whataburger鈥檚 decision.
鈥淧arents should be able to take their children to family-oriented restaurants like Whataburger and not have to wonder whether the person openly carrying at the table next to us is a good guy with a gun or a bad guy with a gun,鈥� the statement read. 鈥淲hataburger鈥檚 policy ensures that no employee or customer is forced to make that judgment call.鈥�
Other dining establishments have also banned open carry in response to consumer concerns and outside pressure, including and .
In his open letter, Whataburger CEO Atkinson touted his love of hunting and his ownership of a concealed-carry license. And he noted that while openly carrying a handgun is prohibited at the restaurants, carrying a concealed one is just fine.
