Hm. Well, I don't know...
Posted on 09/26/2010 5:24:25 PM PDT by marktwain
MADISON, Wis. -- The debate over openly carrying handguns could affect businesses, after two men wearing holstered firearms refused to show police identification at a Culver's restaurant on Madison's East Side Saturday night and were cited for obstruction.
Culver's Corp. was considering the need for a policy addressing the issue after a concerned customer called police. An executive at Culver's Corp. said Tuesday afternoon the restaurant will not create a new policy over the incident.
Some said they feel it's an issue local businesses shouldn't have to consider in the first place.
In 15 years, Bob Jonuzi said he has never seen a gun in his restaurant that wasn't accompanied by a badge.
"We never had to worry about that kind of thing here. Again, I was kind of surprised to hear what I heard today," said Jonuzi, owner of the Coppertop Restaurant on Madison's West Side.
He said he wouldn't expect to see a table of men carrying weapons and neither would his customers.
"We have a different kind of establishment. Everybody knows everybody. It's a family oriented thing we have," said Jonuzi.
A customer at a Culver's restaurant on Madison's East Side was concerned enough to call police when she saw that same situation.
"I personally don't think the issue is going away. I think there's a public policy debate that's coming, but I certainly would like to see that public policy debate happen up at the state Capitol instead of happening in restaurants across Wisconsin," said Pete Hanson, director of government relations for the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
Hanson said that just as it is legal for someone to openly carry a handgun in Wisconsin, it's also legal for a business to refuse service to a customer carrying a weapon.
However, Hanson said that could come with consequences.
"There could be a negative repercussion either way. It's a highly contentious issue and they certainly could alienate people on each side if they create a policy," said Hanson.
Jonuzi said he doesn't have a stance on the issue, but he said he questions the need for a customer to be armed in his restaurant.
"Guns could be in many other places. But in a restaurant? I don't know. What's the use for it?" said Jonuzi.
Jonuzi said he's not sure how guns in his restaurant would affect business. He said he feels it's subjective and the reaction depends on the customer.
Part of the issue appears to be that people aren't used to seeing others carry guns, even legally, WISC-TV reported.
Some businesses said guns can scare some people, especially if they're not aware of open carry laws.
“Guns could be in many other places. But in a restaurant? I don’t know. What’s the use for it?” said Jonuzi.
Google “lubys massacre” to find out ‘the use for it’ is.
>>>>Some businesses said guns can scare some people, especially if they’re not aware of open carry laws.
This is where the pro-gun groups print up a flier that succinctly explains Wisconsin’s Open Carry laws, and provides copies of it for distribution to the Wisconsin Restaurant Association to pass out to its membership.
I love it. Saul Alinsky would approve.
You don’t further the 2nd Amendment by being quiet little church mice.
You get lawyered up and go for broke, being ever so careful to stay within the letter of the law.
Then, when business owners and cops put their feet in it, you hoist them on their own petard and make a big, fat, stinking issue. File a suit and start calling the media.
You can call it being obnoxious, you can also call it being pro-active.
If I owned the business I would have asked them to leave.
It may be legal but it is not good for business. Allowing your children to scream and run around the restaurant may be legal, but in the same way it would be bad for business.
“If I owned the business I would have asked them to leave.”
Business owners around the country disagree. Not only to open carriers bring in revenue, they provide a higer level of security.
Madison isn't around the country.
It appears to be exactly the opposite of what you fear. Wearing a gun in plain sight is direct deterrence of crime. Few criminals want to risk an armed encounter.
While there has been some push-back from the far left, what we see is a normalization of gun carrying by citizens who do not wear a uniform. Most people simply do not care. Felons do not carry openly. Felons do not use holsters.
The left has worked for 100 years to delegitimize the carrying of guns by people who do not wear uniforms. It will take a little bit to re-legitimize it, but it is happening much faster than I ever thought it would.
I don't believe you.
Doesn't pass the smell test. How could the "concerned customer" know the guys weren't cops undercover? Oh, I get it. The undercover cop enjoying the sundae at the counter was the concerned customer.
I agree when I wear it on the hip it is a political statement. When I wear it concealed it is for safety. Why let the bad guys make you target #1 or #2? Surprise is part of a winning battle.
Try doing it though. The cops will be all over you faster than the speed of light. You might not get cuffed, but there will be a record of the incident, and that WILL keep you from getting your CCW permit renewed.
Hm. Well, I don't know...
tactically, there are pros & cons to either carry mode, in this case im definatly pro choice...
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