Concealed-carry permit holders have been allowed to bring guns into N.C. restaurants serving alcohol for months now, stirring controversy among interest groups on both sides of the debate.
And now, bars are caught in the crossfire.
For many Chapel Hill bartenders, the Oct. 1 implementation of the law hasn’t had much of an effect on their business. At least three have posted signs forbidding guns on the premises and some Chapel Hill bars have banned weapons verbally.
Still, the signs have become political tools for interest groups in the gun debate.
Gail Neely, executive director of gun-control organization North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, started a campaign called “Ask Before You Eat,” which included compiling a list of N.C. restaurants that ban firearms, allowing patrons to thank those establishments.
But Neely said the list was taken off the group’s website when the tactic backfired — restaurant owners were being harassed by members of gun-rights organization Grass Roots North Carolina. At Grass Roots N.C., President Paul Valone started “Safe Restaurants” campaign and compiled a list of “high-risk” restaurants that ban guns.
According to the group’s website, restaurants are given a notice by Grass Roots N.C. to remove their sign, and if they do not, their information is posted on the website to allow concealed-carry holders and gun-rights activists to contact them further.
Among the restaurants listed are Chapel Hill establishments Linda’s Bar & Grill, The Blue Horn Lounge and Cholanad Restaurant & Bar. Blue Horn Lounge has a sign banning concealed weapons, but declined to comment. Representatives from Cholanad were unavailable for comment.
Linda’s owner Chris Carini said he has received a couple of letters in the past few months from Grass Roots N.C.
