imported post
Hi All,
I too am sad to learn of this new development. We see again that the likes of The Brady Campaign are relentlessly attacking our rights and harassing businesses in our communities for doing no wrong.
Please see below a letter from Bay Area Open Carry that is on its way tomorrow to The Buckhorn Grill.
I am sure this will clear up many questions you have stated. Please PM me if you have additional questions.
Carry On!
Livermoron
February 11[sup]th[/sup] 2010]
To The Buckhorn Grill
FROM Bay Area Open Carry
Regarding: Response to February 10[sup]th[/sup] 2010 Letter on Firearms, Bay Area Open Carry Luncheon
Dear Sirs,
First let me say thank you for allowing a law-abiding group of hungry local individuals patron your establishment in Walnut Creek on February 6[sup]th[/sup] 2010. Our “movement” seeks only to further the awareness of responsible ownership, and proper use of, firearms in the community. As I am sure you are aware, we ordered generously from your abundant menu, your polite and professional staff was tipped well, there was no unruliness, and other that a bit wealthier we left your restaurant as we found it. Today we became aware of an apparently new company policy you have enacted. Please reference the body of your customer letter below.
To our Customers:
Buckhorn Grill would like to apologize for some misunderstanding about our “no weapon policy” in any of our restaurants. We have not in the past nor shall in the future allow weapons in our restaurants from our employees, vendors or customers.
We made an exception on February 6, 2010, and regret this decision now. We were misled with some facts. The local police were involved and we knew none of the weapons were loaded, but it still caused tension with the large mob of people arriving as a group instead of individually. It was supposed to be a group luncheon, and it turned into a meeting. It was an organized propaganda meeting with an agenda. Flyers were handed out and none of this was Okayed with management. There were supposed to be only fifty people, and at least 100 were there. We were told that the luncheon would be an hour, and it turned into two hours. We only have about seventy seats, so some of our customers had no place to sit.
We apologize for any inconvenience to our regular customers, it will not happen again. We want to have a safe place for you to dine, and a safe place for us to work. Thanks for your support and understanding.
Tom McLaughlin, Regional Manager,
tommcl@sbcglobal.net
John R. Pickerel, Owner
Buckhorn Grill
Jrpickerel@buckhornsteakhouse.com
Please allow me now to clarify the facts in the matter. I initiated contact with the Walnut Creek Police and the Walnut Creek Buckhorn Grill weeks in advance of our luncheon. The Buckhorn Grill Manager, Paul, was later in contact with me (and the Police Department) no less than 3 times prior to our luncheon. I also personally met with Tom (Regional Manager) at the beginning of our 11am lunch. At no time did I mislead the management, nor was I informed of ANY past or present policy concerning firearms in your locations. At each contact I personally assured the management that we would be happy to leave if there were any problems. As of the day before the luncheon we had 52 RSVP’s and we did not expect many more. Due to unexpected television media coverage the day before, there were more attendees than were expected.
The luncheon group quickly spent a conservatively estimated $1200 (not including tips) and The Buckhorn Grill happily accepted our business at the time. Additionally, about 45 minutes into our luncheon I approached Tom and asked if I might be allowed to audibly offer a “thank you” to our host and give instructions to help clear out our group in a timely manner. He allowed this and I did so promptly. The brief announcement took about 30 seconds. There was no “meeting agenda” or other such organizational structure. Printed materials were given only to those that asked for information related to Open Carry. The majority of our group was seated, fed, and out the door in about 75 minutes.
Unfortunately, the only “propaganda agenda” afoot was on the part of a venomous group you are now well familiarized with, “The Brady Campaign”. Had this Anti-Constitution, Anti-Gun, Fear-mongering organization not intervened and began to relentlessly harass The Buckhorn Grill, I am certain our luncheon would have been just another good business day.
I personally offer a sincere apology to your Management and Staff
only for having to endure the gauntlet of the now well-known strong-armed and dirty tactics of The Brady Campaign. I wish your business great prosperity in the future and hope that you will consider the fact that responsibly armed individuals make safer communities.
Sincerely,
Jon Schwartz
Bay Area Open Carry