Texas Gun Group Considers Changes Following Chipotle Backlash
DALLAS (1080 KRLD) -- A Texas gun rights group is considering some changes after causing a national uproar at Chipotle when they walked in armed with assault rifles.
Open Carry Texas received a lot of national criticism after members of their group walked into a Dallas Chipotle armed with AK-47s and AR-15s. Chipotle even went so far as to issue a statement asking patrons to now leave their guns at the door unless they're with law enforcement.
Lunch at Chipotle! @ChipotleTweets @OpenCarryTexas @MomsDemand pic.twitter.com/dSAGKZ0F52
— OCT: Dallas County (@OCT_Dallas) May 17, 2014
It's because of the backlash that C.J. Grisham, the groups President, says they're discussing changes to way they operate.
"We recognize that while we may have a lot of local support here in Texas with what were doing and the way that we're doing it, the visual is not translating well in the national media," says Grisham. "The conversation has become less about the legalization of handguns and more about whether rifles should be in public establishments."
Its unclear exactly what changes the group would implement at this point, but it's possible the group may steer clear of bringing large guns into public places -- something that has turned off many local and national businesses alike.
"I think it would cause some concern for my guests if someone came in with an AR-15, and I would probably in all honestly ask them to leave that at the door," said Keith Hall, owner of Dough Pizzeria in Dallas.
The case has now drawn the attention of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) who says any restaurant or establishment that serves alcoholic beverages could lose their liquor license if someone with a long gun enters their premises.
"With regard to somebody or a patron walking in with a long gun if the TABC permit holder allows that to happen then they are putting their permit at risk." says Carolyn Beck with the TABC.
Beck says there are some exceptions to the law but in this case where several members of Open Carry Texas carried assault rifles into the Chipotle none were met.
"That include peace officers, security officers and employee of the establishment," said Beck "there are guns and fire arms shows and establishments that sell guns."
The Chipotle incident even gained the ire of Jon Stewart, who poked fun of the gun rights group on 'The Daily Show'.
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