Whataburger takes stand against Texas gun laws

Though customers can conceal carry, the fast-food chain’s CEO said visible firearms go too far for the brand’s family-friendly environment.

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The San Antonio-based fast food chain that boasts more than 780 stores throughout the South and Southwest has announced that it will not allow its Texas customers to openly carry guns in their restaurants.

The announcement comes despite a new law in that state, which allows gun owners who qualify for concealed carry permits to openly carry their guns in shoulder and hip holsters.

Whataburger president and CEO Preston Atkinson made the announcement on the company’s website. He says Whataburger supports patrons’ Second Amendment rights—and Atkinson reveals that he possesses a concealed carry license—and that the restaurants allow concealed carry in their restaurants.

But visible firearms go too far for his family-friendly restaurants. From Atkinson’s statement:

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