Chipotle Asks Customers To Leave Guns At Home

When you go out to lunch to get your burrito bowl fix, you probably don't expect to be surrounded by assault rifles. Chipotle recently sent out a statement asking customers to kindly leave their firearms at home, despite any open carry or conceal and carry laws; the company feels that a Mexican fast food restaurant is no place to be touting your assault rifle. The statement was in response to a recent Texas "open carry demonstration, during which several demonstrators brought guns (including military-style assault weapons) into a Chipotle restaurant.

"The incident caused many of our customers anxiety and discomfort," a Chipotle representative said in a statement.  "Because of this, we are respectfully asking that customers not bring guns into our restaurants, unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel."

Chipotle did make sure to acknowledge that the company is not taking a political stance on the issue.

"We acknowledge that there are strong arguments on both sides of this issue," said the statement. "The vast majority of gun owners are responsible citizens and we appreciate them honoring this request. And we hope that our customers who oppose the carrying of guns in public agree with us that it is the role of elected officials and the legislative process to set policy in this area, not the role of businesses like Chipotle."

Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi