Well Whataburger can officially pound sand

[Jamisjockey]

No open carry in Whataburger.

http://whataburger.com/company/pressreleasedetail/whataburger-addresses-open-carry-policy

And it is their official policy to have minimum wage workers ask armed people to leave the store.   

[lupinus]

well pluck them too.

[dogmush]

I completely support voting with your wallet, and it's not like I ever go there anyway.

I gotta say though, that's one of the more reasonable letters I've seen on the subject.  He doesn't say it's about safety, or any other BS.  The guy flat says it's because of whiners feelings, and he's trying to run a business.

If one liked Whataburger's food (again I don't eat there) it might be worth an e-mail to ask him what kind of numbers of gun owners you'd need to swear off Whataburger to counter the "many customers and employees". If all feedback is listened to and valued the same, he might be open to change given a large enough, reasoned campaign.

Or you could go to Wendy's.

[Ben]

Yup, it's all about the numbers. If he had stats showing some worthwhile to him percentage of customers open carried or were in favor, I guarantee he would be telling the whiny employees and customers to get bent. And I'm guessing the percentage of whiners is actually small, but loud.

Gun owners need to ask the gays for the names of their attorneys.

[HeroHog]

The local Chicken Express has the 2nd Amendment printed on the bottom of their receipts and a Green Circle with a Gun in it on their doors along with the text stating legally carried guns allowed here!

[zxcvbob]

Does Texas have open carry of handguns yet?  AFAIK, almost all of Whataburger's stores are in TX.  Maybe this is a reaction to all the idiots carrying black rifles into Starbucks and Target.  I can't say that I blame them. 

A more nuanced rule would be that all firearms most be concealed or discretely holstered with a strap or other retention device.  (Nuance is generally a bad idea for policy statements)

[zxcvbob]

The local Chicken Express has the 2nd Amendment printed on the bottom of their receipts and a Green Circle with a Gun in it on their doors along with the text stating legally carried guns allowed here!

I love their sign, with the chicken hurtling thru the air like a well-thrown football   

[Brad Johnson]

Can't fault them for making what appears to be a solid business-based decision (as opposed to a touchy-feely TEOTWAWKI Brady-center-driven one). I can respect that even if I don't agree with it. They remain solidly neutral on concealed carry so I'll give them a pass on this one.

Zxcv... Gov Abbott signed open carry into law a couple weeks ago. Goes into effect Jan 1, 2015. Only stipulation is open-carriers must have a CHL.

Brad

[Fitz]

I had the initial "OMG" reaction to this, but its actually not bad, and i won't go elsewhere as a result. This, to me, is like a dress code. the subtext is "We don't mind guns, but some people whined, so keep it hidden"



Interesting thought, though. I wonder how the libtards would react if a business said "You can be gay in our store... just not OPENLY gay"

think we have a discrimination case?

[Triphammer]

There are a few in Tucson. From what I've seen of the cliental, It won't make much difference. Mostly soccer moms, middle/ high school kids and a few service techs (plumbers, electricians) stopping for lunch. 

[zxcvbob]

Gov Abbott signed open carry into law a couple weeks ago. Goes into effect Jan 1, 2015 [sic]. Only stipulation is open-carriers must have a CHL.

Cool.  Now if they'd just recognize my MN license, like all the other states between here and there.

[Brad Johnson]

Oops, should have said Jan 1, 2016 effective date.

Brad

[lupinus]

Oops, should have said Jan 1, 2016 effective date.

Brad

You really should stop living in the past and just move on.

[vaskidmark]

Apparently the places around here that use the name and have the A-frame building are not in fact Whataburgers.  Which is good because as of last night they were still not freaking out when I sat down to eat.  Pretty much unless it's prohibited by law I carry, and pretty much I open carry.

I give props to the real Whataburger folks for coming out and saying they are giving in to a vocal minority that might stir up noise and discord, thus endangering their bottom line.  It's honest.

My experience is that most folks don't notice, and the ones that do want to know if it's a Glock Fo'tay or a 1911.  (I do not recall any revolver being made in either of those models.)  Maybe the next time I'm near a Mommies Demanding Attention gathering I'm going to suddenly stop and yell "She's got a baby!  Run for your lives!" just to see how much panic it stirs up, based on the theory it's not what you say but how you say it.

stay safe.

[KD5NRH]

My experience is that most folks don't notice, and the ones that do want to know if it's a Glock Fo'tay or a 1911.  (I do not recall any revolver being made in either of those models.)

Colt made some changes to the Bisley in 1911, resulting in a "1911 Model" revolver.  I don't recall ever seeing one rollmarked as such, though.

[SADShooter]

To quote a modern Western: "Well...bye."

They made their decision, I've made mine. I've been  frequent customer over many years. No more.

ETA: My e-mail reply-

Greetings:

In response to your policy decision regarding open carry in Texas,I respect your right to make decisions regarding your business operations. However, to be unwelcoming to patrons conducting a lawful activity is unacceptable to me, as I consider it discriminatory. In making a concession to the fear and paranoia of one group you insult and disregard the freedom and dignity of another. The predictions of bloody streets in the wake of concealed carry did not materialize. Open carry will have the same result. This long-time patron will no longer darken your door unless and until you reconsider.

Sincerely,

SADShooter

[Jamisjockey]

Does Texas have open carry of handguns yet?  AFAIK, almost all of Whataburger's stores are in TX.  Maybe this is a reaction to all the idiots carrying black rifles into Starbucks and Target.  I can't say that I blame them. 

A more nuanced rule would be that all firearms most be concealed or discretely holstered with a strap or other retention device.  (Nuance is generally a bad idea for policy statements)

No.  It goes into effect Jan 1st 2016.
And you still have to have a valid CHL to open carry. 

[Balog]

The only legal open carry in TX right now is long guns. I've seen the kind of mouth breathing retards that TX has as OC advocates. I think it should be legal to buy integrally suppressed full auto short barreled rifles with under barrel grenade launchers out of a vending machine, but if I owned a business there I'd ban the Fatty and Snowboots crowd too.

[zxcvbob]

The only legal open carry in TX right now is long guns. I've seen the kind of mouth breathing retards that TX has as OC advocates. I think it should be legal to buy integrally suppressed full auto short barreled rifles with under barrel grenade launchers out of a vending machine, but if I owned a business there I'd ban the Fatty and Snowboots crowd too.

Long guns and antiques.  The retards should be carrying Ruger Old Armies and other antique handguns -- in holsters.

[Balog]

This is what they banned.

[roo_ster]

I see the OC Tarrant County folk as useful in a "Deal with reasonable folk like me or you get to deal with the ammotards," way.  Nope, not hanging out with them or participating in their antics, but they have pushed the OC issue and kept it front burner in the legislature.

TSRA has done good work over time, but it sure seemed like they were dragging their feet on OC.  OCTC worked around them and lit a fire under legicritters sympathetic to them.

I sure as hell am not going to play tone police or direct fire at folk who are pretty much on my side.  Shooting allies is the sort of thing pathetic moderates looking to impress the other side do.  Screw that noise.

[Balog]

I see the OC Tarrant County folk as useful in a "Deal with reasonable folk like me or you get to deal with the ammotards," way.  Nope, not hanging out with them or participating in their antics, but they have pushed the OC issue and kept it front burner in the legislature.

TSRA has done good work over time, but it sure seemed like they were dragging their feet on OC.  OCTC worked around them and lit a fire under legicritters sympathetic to them.

I sure as hell am not going to play tone police or direct fire at folk who are pretty much on my side.  Shooting allies is the sort of thing pathetic moderates looking to impress the other side do.  Screw that noise.

OCTC has dopne nothing but get OC banned in a number of retail establishments and make passage more difficult and uncertain in the legislature. If someone is "on my side" but doing things that actively harm the cause then I'll feel free to criticize them.

[Fitz]

OCTC has dopne nothing but get OC banned in a number of retail establishments and make passage more difficult and uncertain in the legislature. If someone is "on my side" but doing things that actively harm the cause then I'll feel free to criticize them.

This... OCT and the operatards that go full-movie-commando at places have been directly responsible for 30.06 signs going up. I'm actually amazed their "efforts" didn't derail open carry in TX entirely.

[roo_ster]

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=42540&start=0

For the TL;DR sort CL Cotton says TSRA was not opposed to OC, but also not willing to push for OC.  Not their priority, etc., etc.  This was in 2011.  All very defensible and reasonable and honest, but "not opposing and not promoting" is in the neighborhood of "feet dragging" territory.

I have little doubt the rising crescendo of vocal support for open carry has been part of the reason that TSRA has moved from their 2011 position to being somewhat more in favor of OC.  OCT and OCTC are part of this.

FTR, I think a whole lot of Cotton and I think TSRA has done yeoman work on RKBA over the years.  I give them $$$ in the form of memberships, but they have been dragging their feet on OC for some years.  They need someone to light a fire under them every once in a while, especially since one or more of their better lobbyists are not gunny-types.

I do not look at loud OC advocates and the TSRA as "either/or," but rather as "yes, more."

OC in Texas still has a way to go, as it still requires a permit.  Same with CC.

Oh, and for those getting confused by the acronyms:
TSRA = Texas State Rifle Association, an NRA-like advocacy group that has done good work on the RKBA in Texas over the years.
CC = Concealed Carry
OC = Open Carry
OCT = Open Carry Texas, an OC advocacy organization
OCTC = Open Carry Tarrant County, a splinter from OCT.  "Fattie & Boots" were part of this org.  Main source of heartburn for some folks.

[MechAg94]

From my memory, OC wasn't a significant mainstream issue at all until 2 or 3 sessions ago.  It was talked about occasionally, but never a serious issue.  TSRA was focused on improving concealed carry and protecting shooting ranges and such.  All important stuff.  I remember there was an online poll circulated that got a great deal of support and then the issue got a lot of attention in the next session.  My impression was that TSRA was more or less blind sided by it and wasn't prepared to work for it in that session.  Since then, I thought they had added it to their agenda.  I could be wrong.