On a Saturday morning in Dallas, Texas, my daughter and I decided to eat breakfast at a nearby Denny’s. On the way in, I noticed the restaurant had posted a 30.07 sign (above). If a private property owner wants to ban open carry on their property, Texas law requires the signs.
The 30.07 sign only restricts open carry. Texans who have a License to Carry (or other state’s permit recognized by the Lone Star State) may carry a concealed handgun into an establishment displaying a 30.07 sign — unless there is another brace of 30.06 signs which ban concealed carry.
I made sure that my vest was covering the GLOCK 17 in its Fobus retention holster when we entered.
Our waitress, Lois, immediately brought a high chair for my granddaughter and a coloring book for my grandson, She brought grapes for him, and yogurt for my granddaughter. My daughter had mentioned my grandson’s name, once, on entering the restaurant. Lois remembered it.
Lois’ professionalism, familiarity with children and attention to their needs was of the highest order. The food was good, the prices reasonable, the atmosphere family-friendly.
On the way out, I let the manager, Zahid, know that I found the 30.07 sign offensive, even though the food and service were excellent. Zahid listened courteously, but made no promises. How could he? I gave him a card for Gun Watch.
The 30.07 sign strikes a compromise; an open carrier need only cover their legally carried handgun to comply. That said, I doubt many customers — especially those who oppose firearms freedom — read beyond the red circle and bar over the 1911 silhouette.
Much to the chagrin of anti-gun rights business owners and civilian disarmament groups, the 30.07 sign is huge. The law requires both English and Spanish wording in one-inch letters.
An owner may post one sign measuring approximately 24″ X 18″ or put up two, measuring approximately 18″ X 12″ each (as above). To be compliant, the signs must be posted at all entrances.
I doubt the majority of 30.07 signs will stay up for very long.
For one thing, they take up valuable advertising space. For another, they detract from an establishment’s look and branding. And a business that doesn’t post a 30.07 can simply ask any open carrier who walks in to cover their firearm. The request — which can also be made in the form of a written card — carries the same force of law.
There’s another factor in play . . .
In my estimation and experience, the number of Americans offended by the open exercise of Second Amendment rights is dropping daily. It’s the only thing more satisfying than a family meal in a restaurant that respects its customers.
©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.