BIRMINGHAM, Ala, — Joining a growing list of companies, the Texas-based fast food chain Whataburger just recommitted itself to its anti-gun stance by reminding customers of its prohibition on customers open carrying in their stores.
The chain, which has twelve Alabama locations including six in the Birmingham metro-area, decided to emphasize its policy after its home state of Texas approved a new open-carry law that will allow licensed Texans to openly carry handguns in belt or shoulder holsters. Businesses that do not want their customers to open carry must post a sign that is displayed in a “conspicuous manner” at the entrance and that containers very specific wording about their no-open-carry policy.
Alabama passed a similar law in 2013 allowing owners of property open to the public to post “adequate notice” prohibiting firearms and to have violators, including licensed carriers, arrested for trespassing if the individual refuses to leave when asked to do so in the presence of a law enforcement agent.
In a public statement, company CEO and President Preston Atkinson said “Whataburger supports customers’ Second Amendment rights” but, “we haven’t allowed the open carry of firearms in our restaurants for a long time (although we have not prohibited licensed conceal carry). It’s a business decision we made a long time ago and have stood by.”
Personally, Atkinson owns guns for hunting and has his concealed carry license. He wanted to make clear that this was a business decision, not a political one. “We have to think about how open carry impacts our 34,000+ employees and millions of customers,” he wrote. “We serve customers from all walks of life at more than 780 locations, 24 hours a day, in 10 states and we’re known for a family friendly atmosphere that customers have come to expect from us.”
“We’ve had many customers and employees tell us they’re uncomfortable being around someone with a visible firearm who is not a member of law enforcement, and as a business, we have to listen and value that feedback,” he said.
44 states allow open carry of firearms, 13 with permits, and only 6 ban the practice.
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