I open carry in Austin. I’ve suddenly noticed that the places where I can open carry are shrinking in direct relation to the places I open carry. Bringing my CLS into Mercedes Benz of Austin for service, I discovered this sign on the door. Had a rash of open carriers harshed their customer’s “gun-free” mellow? Nope. Just little old me. This isn’t the first time I’ve inspired a “no open carry allowed” 30.07 sign . . .
One magically appeared at a local eatery called Vert’s Kebap after an open carry visit.
So be it, I guess. Private business owners have a right to suspend my civil rights on their private property — unless they do so because of my skin color, sexual orientation, religion or anything else not having to do with my Second Amendment protected right to keep and bear arms.
Yes, well, there is that.
I have a strict policy regarding businesses that ban concealed carry (as directed by a 30.06 sign): they can’t have my money. Except for Whole Foods where, yes, I disarm before entering. Because I have a vegetarian daughter. And OK, fit women of a certain age wearing yoga pants are in abundance. As Irish novelist Laurence Stern said, “respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others our manners.”
Where was I?
At the moment, I still reward frequent enterprises that ban open carry. I balance my gun rights fervor against their right to make me ashamed of exercising my gun rights fervor. Wait. That doesn’t sound right. I respect their desire not to let me, a law-abiding American, scare their customers by exercising my civil rights on their property. Nope. That doesn’t do it either.
Seriously confused. What should I do about those business that ban open carry? Pass or play?