They're the latest restaurant chains to tell customers they can't bring their guns inside.
Both Chili's and Sonic announced Friday they don't want customers openly carrying guns inside their restaurants. (Via YouTube / chilis and YouTube / Sonic Drive-In)
In a statement quoted by MSNBC, a Chili's spokeswoman said: "... we kindly ask that guests refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants and we will continue to follow state and local laws on this issue."
In a separate statement, CNN reports a spokesman for Sonic said the company doesn't want customers bringing guns to their patios or indoors.
The Washington Post points out the move comes less than two weeks after Chipotle released a statement asking customers to leave their guns at home, too. It came after an open-carry group in Texas went inside a Dallas-area Chipotle with assault rifles — leaving some customers worried.
The Huffington Post points out Chili's and Sonic made their decisions after similar demonstrations. In addition, the anti-guns group Moms Demand Action threatened petitions and boycotts against the two chains if they didn't change their gun policies.
USA Today says other companies like Applebee's, Wendy's, Jack in the Box and Starbucks have similar rules barring customers from bringing guns inside.
Open Carry Texas recently released a statement with other gun groups after some of its demonstrations went viral: "We have decided the prudent path, to further our goals, is to immediately cease taking long guns into corporate businesses unless invited."
Still, a separate open carry group in Texas is set to hold a demonstration at a Dallas-area Home Depot Saturday. Home Depot's corporate communications director has said the group is welcome on store property as long as members obey the law. (Via Forbes)
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