I’m surprised a place like this hasn’t opened in Texas, but more of a breastaraunt concept. Actually, I’m a bit disappointed that someone in Texas didn’t come up with this first, it’s like we aren’t living up to the stereotype. Dag nabit. I can totally picture folks like Ted Nugent holding a fundraiser in this place for Ted Cruz or Greg Abbott with this picture of Gov Perry on the wall.
The chances of a dine-and-dash happening has to be zero.
When waitress Ashlee Saenz takes your order at Shooters Grill in Rifle, she not only carries a pad and pen — she also packs a loaded Ruger .357 Blackhawk handgun holstered on her leg, Old West style.
It’s loaded and she knows how to use it.
Saenz and her co-workers, along with customers who come into Shooters, are encouraged by Shooters’ owners to pack heat in the restaurant, as allowed by Colorado law.
The restaurant also hosts concealed carry training — the $75 price tag includes dinner — that qualifies customers for Colorado and Utah permits.
In a nation torn in recent years by emotional Second Amendment debates, fueled in part by mass shootings, there’s no such controversy in this town of 9,200 that’s centered in ranch and natural gas country.
A sign on the front door of Shooters Grill reads, “Guns are welcome on premises. Please keep all weapons holstered, unless the need arises. In such cases, judicious marksmanship is appreciated.”
Shooters owner Lauren Boebert of Rifle said she is simply allowing customers and employees to exercise their constitutional right.
“We encourage it, and the customers love that they can come here and express their rights,” Boebert said. “This country was founded on our freedom. People can come in carrying their gun, and they can pray over their food.”
“I consulted with my Christian friends and everyone said ‘Shooters’ sounded like a bar or a strip joint,” Lauren Boebert said with a laugh. “But I thought, this is Rifle — it was founded around guns and the Old West. We called it Shooters and started throwing guns and Jesus all over the place.”
You can find more info about them on their Facebook page. Somewhat surprisingly, their photo page is more full of pictures of their food than anything of the gun carrying variety.
