Country music star Toby Keith's new restaurant has sparked outraged among some Virginia residents.
According to FOX 5 TV station, Keith's, I Love This Bar & Grill, in Woodbridge, Va., upset gun supporters by posting a "NO GUNS PERMITTED" sign on their front door. Advocates have blasted the restaurants new policy on the chain's Facebook page.
"No guns means I won't patronize your restaurant or buy your music or concert tickets. You are a FAKE," reads one typical post.
Another user wrote, "That sign on the door means that I will never try your restaurant ... It is a cultural thing among we Americans ... It is the fact that you seek to restrict a Constitutional Right that bothers the public. This is what will cost you."
Other comments accused the "Red Solo Cup" singer of being anti-gun. The Facebook page is also calling for advocates to boycott the eatery. According to FOX Keith does not own the restaurant.
In the state of Virginia, it's legal for individuals to carry a firearm without a license. Residents are also allowed to enter bars and restaurants with a pistol, but owners are allowed to opt out of the rule. The law does prohibit drinking while carrying a concealed weapon.
Despite the local disapproval, other residents support the restaurant's decision to ask customers to leave their guns at home.
"Oh, I don't think guns should be permitted unless it's a peace officer or a law officer," said John Dietz, who is from Texas, according to FOX.
Customer Jayne Marconi told FOX he supports the restaurant's policy.
"Well, I think it's a great idea," he said. "Anywhere there's an establishment that serves alcohol, I'm going to tell you right now, alcohol can make you do funny things. So that [pointing to the 'no guns' sign] absolutely makes me feel more comfortable."
Mike Miskin, of Suffolk, Va., is a gun advocate, but told FOX he does not believe in mixing alcohol and guns and that it "should be allowed to carry your gun with you but not into a bar."
According to The Blaze, the rule comes as a surprise because Keith is known as a big pro-gun advocate.
"If somebody asked me, 'Why do you have one? What are you afraid of?' I'd say, 'I ain't afraid of nothing. I carry so I don't have to be,'" Keith reportedly said, according to The Blaze.
Keith's restaurant is owned by Arizona-based Capri Restaurant Group Enterprises LLC which has establishments in over a dozen cities nationwide.
