# Gun free zones; which eatery do you pick? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861 "2014-08-05T13:29:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/21 "2014-08-05T16:24:23Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > A. I get so damn tired of picking spent bullets out of my food. I was absentminded when I read this, and misread it as, “A. I get so damn tired of picking spent bullets out of my _ **head** _.” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/22 "2014-08-05T16:26:57Z")
By analogy, what if the sign said “No Soliciting”? Soliciting is considered, in America, to be an honorable profession, it is the bedrock of the competitive free enterprise economy. There is 15 minutes of soliciting in every hour of cable TV, on which I pay handsomely for the privilege of being solicited. The “No Soliciting” sign merely gives me a modicum of assurance that nobody will walk up to my table and hand me a Watchtower, or point to my french fries and ask if I’m going to eat all those, or dun me for raffle tickets to the cheerleaders support group. “No guns allowed” does not guarantee me that the restaurant will not be entered by a desperado. But it may be an assurance that I am less likely to be caught in a hail of crossfire if one does, from a motley clientele exercising their Second Amendment rights, whether competent to do so responsibly or not. I’d feel safer in a place where only one side has a gun, no matter which side that is. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/23 "2014-08-05T16:28:53Z")
Unless the no gun one is also a bar (where banning guns can make sense), both signs are stupid and pointless - one because, frankly, I don’t care about your political views one way or the other, and the other one because it isn’t going to stop criminals anyway. In real life, I’d probably just keep going until I find a McDonald’s, which AFAIK doesn’t have any signs or political views at all except that they bow to the almighty dollar. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/24 "2014-08-05T16:30:41Z")
B. I carry a knife. A’s sign clearly(?) says I’m not welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/25 "2014-08-05T16:31:52Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I was absentminded when I read this, and misread it as, “A. I get so damn tired of picking spent bullets out of my _ **head** _.” :eek: You have to admit, that would get old pretty fast. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/26 "2014-08-05T16:38:24Z")
A, because it’s less likely some idiot will do something stupid with a gun in that place. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/27 "2014-08-05T16:54:50Z")
I’m apathetic on most issues and guns are no exception. But if the restaurants were of equal quality, I’d probably pick A. “No Guns Allowed” seems like a plausible and normal policy for a store to have. Maybe their insurance is cheaper, maybe they just don’t want to deal with the hassle, maybe they really don’t like guns. I’m sure many other places have a similar policy. But a store _next to_ that store that has a “Guns Welcome” sign is Making A Statement, and I might be seen as making a similar statement by patronizing them, and I’d just rather avoid political drama. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/28 "2014-08-05T17:05:21Z")
I voted A although there is a good chance that I get shot during a shootout in Sandwich Store B. Those walls are pretty thin. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/29 "2014-08-05T17:08:51Z")
There’s no question about it for me, A absolutely. I wish more businesses would do the same. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/30 "2014-08-05T17:23:43Z")
**B** because they want every bodies business. \*\*A \*\* only seems to want customers that agree with their agenda on non food related things, so IMO, would be more likely to buy supplies from those that agree with them over a better product from someone who does not agree with them politically. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/31 "2014-08-05T17:24:47Z")
Picked B, but honestly, my prejudice is that the food’ll be better at A. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/32 "2014-08-05T17:42:21Z")
**A** because they want everybody’s business. **B** only seems to want customers that agree with their agenda on non food related things, so IMO, would be more likely to buy supplies from those that agree with them over a better product from someone who does not agree with them politically. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/33 "2014-08-05T20:15:40Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I will go to the place that has the best sandwiches. In the event of a tie, the placethat has big-titted waitress/cashier eye candy gets the nod. I will do as I please WRT my handgun, regardless. This. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/34 "2014-08-05T20:58:59Z")
The signs don’t matter to me; I’ll eat wherever the best sandwich happens to be. A couple of years ago I visited Madison, Wisconsin. I don’t keep track of gun-related laws, but _something_ had apparently changed since my previous visit: on this occasion, as I wandered up and down State Street, a number of stores and restaurants now had signs posted at the door saying “NO GUNS ALLOWED.” Presumably guns _were_ allowed at establishments that did not have such signs. The presence or absence of these signs made no difference to me. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/35 "2014-08-05T21:13:16Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > A, mainly because I prefer to be around people who pick A than B. This. The people there are less likely to be a danger to me, and are more likely to be the sort of people who won’t harass or attack me. B is likely to attract swaggering gun nuts, thugs, and the kind of people who might decide to beat me up because they think I look gay or am a liberal or atheist. Although if possible I’d go to _neither,_ because both signs indicate that gun nuts and/or gun violence are common in the area and I’d rather avoid such places entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/36 "2014-08-05T21:20:26Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > **A** because they want everybody’s business. > **B** only seems to want customers that agree with their agenda on non food related things, so IMO, would be more likely to buy supplies from those that agree with them over a better product from someone who does not agree with them politically. It seems to me that it’s the other way around. Everyone who wants to can eat at B whether they carry a gun or not. A does not welcome the business of anyone carrying (either open or concealed). ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/37 "2014-08-05T21:56:26Z")
I chose A. B is tantamount to putting up a sign that reads “We are just _lousy_ at risk assessment! Try our Egg Salad!” ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/38 "2014-08-05T22:10:29Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > Say you’re driving across the U.S. While going through a small town you realise you are absolutely ravenous; you pull up and to your delight spot two delicatessen type sandwich places, mom’n’pop type establishments - not big franchises. > > They both look about the same, same level of custom, same look, same menu. \*A’s Sandwich Shop \*has [this sign](http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Gun-FreeZone259184012_std.259192439_std.gif) next to the door proclaiming that firearms are prohibited. On \*B’s Sandwich Shop \*across the road you spot [this “firearms welcome”](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVFLeU-cMkU/UNU-FspEdiI/AAAAAAAAJ68/M868F4jENS8/s400/firearms+welcome.jpg) sign next to the door. > > You’re totally famished and haven’t got time to mess about. Which one gets your custom? Assume you are not packing a piece. > > (Inspired by **Quartz** ’s thread on an armed store and **grude** ’s on the Second Amendment) I pick the one that doesn’t make me make a left turn to get back out onto the road in the direction I want to go. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/39 "2014-08-05T22:16:27Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > **A** because they want everybody’s business. > **B** only seems to want customers that agree with their agenda on non food related things, so IMO, would be more likely to buy supplies from those that agree with them over a better product from someone who does not agree with them politically. You do realize that you can just as easily flip that statement 180 and it would be an equally true value judgement for people who don’t agree with _your_ politics, yes? Both signs are political statements. “A” obviously doesn’t want everybody’s business; licensed concealed carry holders are not welcome. Whereas at “B,” everyone, LCCH or not, is welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861/40 "2014-08-05T22:18:06Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > You do realize that you can just as easily flip that statement 180 and it would be an equally true value judgement for people who don’t agree with _your_ politics, yes? > > Both signs are political statements. “A” obviously doesn’t want everybody’s business; licensed concealed carry holders are not welcome. Whereas at “B,” everyone, LCCH or not, is welcome. They are welcome, their gun is not. That being said, both signs are saying that some people are not welcome. A doesn’t want those that carry a gun at all times, B doesn’t want people that choose not to be around guns whenever possible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-free-zones-which-eatery-do-you-pick/694861.md?page=3)