NRA Criticizes the 'Downright Foolish' Actions of Open Carry Demonstrators

The National Rifle Association is criticizing open carry activists' decision to brandish large firearms in restaurants across Texas. In a statement published Friday, the NRA writes that these demonstrators have "crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness." Open carry activists in Texas have been demonstrating their right to bring firearms into public places and have caused quite a stir in the process. After demonstrators recently walked into locations of Jack in the Box, Chipotle, Sonic, and Chili's in Texas, all four chains announced policies asking that gun owners leave their firearms at home. Now, open carry supporters are so incensed by the NRA's words that they have taken to tearing up their NRA membership cards (below).

In the statement, the NRA goes on to further lambaste the activists calling them an "attention-hungry few who thought only of themselves and not of those who might be affected by their behavior. The NRA adds that carrying rifles into a restaurant is "downright weird" and that it "not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners." According to the NRA the demonstrators actions are actually detrimental to their cause: "To those who are not acquainted with the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one's cause, it can be downright scary. It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates."

According to Talking Points Memo, Open Carry Texas has issued a statement demanding that the NRA retract its "disgusting and disrespectful comments." If the NRA does not do so, OCT is threatening to "withdraw its full support of the NRA and establish relationships with other gun rights organizations that fight for ALL gun rights, instead of just paying them lip service." OCT believes it should be "applauded for coming together and finding new methods to promote safe and responsible open carry." Perhaps they forgot about how they managed to scare a bunch of people in the process.

· Good Citizens and Good Neighbors: The Gun Owners' Role [Official Site via The Week]
· Gun Activists Cut Up NRA Member Cards Over Criticism Of AR-15s In Restaurants [TPM]
· All Gun Coverage on Eater [-E-]