Whataburger Takes A Stand Against Open Carry Law, Will Prohibit Open Carrying Of Firearms

Famous Texas restaurant chain Whataburger announced it will not allow the open carrying of firearms on its premises. The announcement was published in its website through an open letter written by its president and CEO Preston Atkinson, ABC News reports.

Atkinson said that although he himself enjoys hunting and carries a concealed gun, allowing people to openly carry firearms in their restaurants is a different consideration from a business standpoint.

"As a representative of Whataburger, I want you to know we proudly serve the gun rights community. From a business standpoint, though, we have to think about how open carry impacts our 34,000+ employees and millions of customers," he said in the letter, according to KWTX-TV.

"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 in the same way we value yours," Atkinson explained, MSNBC reports.

Last month, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed a bill that allows Texans to openly carry firearms. The bill, which takes effect on January 2016, gives owners of private properties the right to prohibit open carry in the establishments or facilities they own.

According to industry experts, Whataburger's courageous move will entice others to do the same.

"Given the number of units that they have in Texas, they just wanted to make it very clear as to where they were going to be, and I would expect to see a number of restaurants follow," Richie Jackson, CEO of Texas Restaurant Association, said, according to ABC News.

Whataburger's announcement regarding the open carry law received various reactions from its patrons. Some supported its decision while others decided to part ways with the restaurant chain.

Tags

Gun rights, Greg Abbott