The National Rifle Association condemned the "scary" actions of open carry activists in Texas, including some who were shown in a video harassing a Marine veteran on Memorial Day.
The NRA also addressed recent no-gun policies put in place by several restaurants including Chipotle, which said it created the rule because "the display of firearms in our restaurants has now created an environment that is potentially intimidating or uncomfortable for many of our customers."
In a May 30 statement, the NRA applauded Texans for the "robust gun culture" in the Lone Star State, but said recent public showings of gun support "crossed the line" and were "downright weird" (emphasis NRA's).
"Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners," the NRA statement said. "That's not the Texas way. And that's certainly not the NRA way."
From the NRA's statement:
Recently, demonstrators have been showing up in various public places, including coffee shops and fast food restaurants, openly toting a variety of tactical long guns. Unlicensed open carry of handguns is legal in about half the U.S. states, and it is relatively common and uncontroversial in some places.
Yet while unlicensed open carry of long guns is also typically legal in most places, it is a rare sight to see someone sidle up next to you in line for lunch with a 7.62 rifle slung across his chest, much less a whole gaggle of folks descending on the same public venue with similar arms.
Let's not mince words, not only is it rare, it's downright weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while being prepared to defend yourself. To those who are not acquainted with the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one's cause, it can be downright scary. It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates.
Most Americans prefer that shops and restaurants forbid guns, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll found.
For the entire NRA statement, go here.
(h/t Raw Story)
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