Brady Campaign Applauds Buckhorn Grill For Keeping Guns Out Of Restaurants

Feb 16, 2010

Washington, DC –  The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence today applauded the recent decision by Buckhorn Grill to protect its customers and staff by keeping public firearms out of its restaurants.  Buckhorn Grill's policy mirrors that of Peet’s Coffee & Tea and California Pizza Kitchen, who also made their "No Guns Except For Police" policies clear in recent weeks after so-called "open carry" gun activists wore semi-automatic pistols and ammunition magazines into their establishments.

"The Buckhorn Grill management did the right thing to protect the families and children who visit their restaurants," said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  "Except for trained police officers, there is no need to take semi-automatic pistols and ammunition into restaurants, coffee shops or other retail establishments where customers expect to be safe from guns.  'Open carry' gun pushers are finding fewer and fewer places to take their firearms because the public doesn't want them around."

On Saturday, February 6, about 100 "open carry" gun activists descended on a Buckhorn Grill restaurant in Walnut Creek, one of a chain of California restaurants, to display their semi-automatic pistols and ammunition magazines.  One week later, after California Brady Chapter activists expressed their deep concerns, Buckhorn Grill made its "No Guns" policy clear.

In related events, “open carry” gun activists have applied similar tactics against Starbucks Coffee Company and their customers.  Starbucks, however, has yet to clearly state a “No Guns Except For Police” policy in their coffee shops and stores.  To date, more than 25,000 Americans have asked Starbucks to keep guns out of their establishments by signing the Brady Campaign's petition, developed in partnership with CREDO Action.

To see our petition, go to: http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/starbucks_guns/?rc=brady.

"The California Brady Chapters want to thank Buckhorn Grill and other businesses for doing the socially responsible thing to keep guns out of their establishments," said Karen Arntzen, the Brady Campaign's California Chapter Services Coordinator.  "We hope companies like Starbucks are paying attention. We will continue to alert families about businesses that are putting their customers and employees at risk by allowing guns on their premises."

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Resources:

Buckhorn Grill rejects guns in their restaurants: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14390889

Peet's Coffee & Tea and California Pizza Kitchen reject guns in their restaurants: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=56281

"Open Carry" activists protest at Starbucks: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=7248503

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The Brady Campaign is the nation's largest citizens' lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives. We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, empowering the American people to hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.

We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.

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