The gun-grabbing crowd funded by billionaire ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg is celebrating their forcing of restaurant Chipotle to turn every one of their sites into a “unarmed victim zone,” after a silly online social media campaign. It began when a 2nd Amendment advocacy group had a “open carry” demonstration at many public places that are open to Americans exercising their right to carry a gun.
Hey, @OpenCarryTC , better warn Chipotle the #guncontrolbullies are organizing a pathetic call in to stop you.@shannonrwatts @ChipotleTweets
— Open Carry Texas (@OpenCarryTexas) May 17, 2014
This is who we are. "@OCT_Dallas: @OpenCarryTexas at the Hard Rock! pic.twitter.com/YkWbQTg57W"
— Open Carry Texas (@OpenCarryTexas) May 17, 2014
Why does @momsdemand want moms 2B victims.Only misogynists would disarm women.Why wont @shannonrwatts let moms carry? pic.twitter.com/WwsRaxYt5R
— Open Carry Texas (@OpenCarryTexas) May 17, 2014
But when they went to a local Dallas Chipotle store, the “Moms Demand Gun Sense” group started whining and complaining, even before the event:
.@ChipotleTweets @opencarrytexas is going to #Dallas Victory store. Have you warned customers? https://t.co/4WhOUJaxOd #BurritosNotBullets
— Shannon (@shannonrwatts) May 17, 2014
You take "no position" on guns, I will take "no position" on @ChipotleTweets I'll go elsewhere #BurritosNotBullets pic.twitter.com/vkWOng5Now
— xtinel (@xtinel) May 17, 2014
Hey, @ChipotleTweets – This armed mob headed toward your dallas store. Hope you've warned staff and customers. pic.twitter.com/pI26DnHCjQ
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) May 17, 2014
Chipotle took no official stance, saying they would follow local laws. And that’s when all the keyboard commandos bought and paid for by Bloomberg took to social media to bombard Chipotle, its owner and various business associates into restricting Americans’ rights at their stores.
.@kimbal as Director of .@ChipotleTweets keep "Food W/Integrity" instead of "Food W/loaded Guns". #BurritosNotBullets pic.twitter.com/F9USb4OjUk
— Judith (@dogonabone) May 18, 2014
And here are some guys with guns at a Chipotle in Texas, stoked about new tofu option. pic.twitter.com/2GAjFIRTHJ
— Ben Hallman (@ben_hallman) May 19, 2014
Who at. @ChipotleTweets vouches for mental health & no crim record of open carrier's? #BurritosNotBullets @MomsDemand pic.twitter.com/bhZGPtjUNR
— Galsgow (@Aefauld) May 18, 2014
Tell @ChipotleTweets that there's no background check, license, training, age restriction to carry loaded AR15 in TX #BurritosNotBullets
— Shannon (@shannonrwatts) May 17, 2014
Skipping @ChipotleTweets until they change their policy on allowing open carry guns in their stores #BurritosNotBullets
— Lara Kline (@LaraKline) May 17, 2014
.@ChipotleTweets you won me over with your no GMO menu & lost me by allowing guns. This @momsdemand is 100% #BurritosNotBullets!
— Julie Sheehan (@WholeLifeMom) May 17, 2014
It must be noted here that many companies often overreact when they see this kind of social media reaction, assuming that a few hundred or thousand tweets translate into a large movement – they don’t. As long as a group is well-organized, they can make it appear as if they represent a large contingent of Americans and force a company with a naive view of social media to bend to its will. That’s what happened to Chipotle.
The Mexican fast-food company, based in Denver, said Monday evening that it has traditionally complied with local firearms laws, but that “the display of firearms in our restaurants has now created an environment that is potentially intimidating or uncomfortable for many of our customers.”
“Because of this, we are respectfully asking that customers not bring guns into our restaurants, unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel,” the statement said.
Victory for the frailest among us who faint at the sight of another American being responsible enough to provide for their own defense!
WE WON! Guns are no longer welcome at @ChipotleTweets restaurants. #BurritosNotBullets pic.twitter.com/j94klvgEdi
— Everytown (@Everytown) May 19, 2014
Except they didn’t actually ban guns, as conservative Dana Loesch noted – they would answer if this was an outright ban or a suggestion to customers. It appears that really they just wanted to provide lip service to the gun-grabbing group in order to shut them up and give them an ostensible victory. When put into the context of the millions that Bloomberg has lost unsuccessfully defending gun-grabbers in Colorado, and failing to take advantage of the Newtown tragedy to pass gun control laws, the billionaire has got to be wondering if he’s getting his money’s worth.
But hey, at least he banned New York City denizens from drinking big sodas.