Shooters Grill, in Rifle, Colorado, allows its waitresses to carry loaded guns while on the job, according to The Glenwood Springs Post Independent.
Colorado allows its residents to carry a gun in public. Employees and customers at the restaurant are encouraged to bring their holstered guns with them. Law in the state allows businesses and governments to prohibit guns within their buildings if they so choose.
There is a sign on the front door of Shooter that says, “Guns are welcome on premises. Please keep all weapons holstered unless need arises. In such case, judicious marksmanship is appreciated.”
Owner Lauren Boebert said that she is allowing her customers and employees to exercise their constitutional rights.
“We encourage it, and the customers love that they can come here and express their rights,” Boebert said. “I consulted with my Christian friends and everyone said ‘Shooters’ sounded like a bar or a strip joint. 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.”
No alcohol is served at the restaurant, which offers American and Mexican foods.
The restaurant even offers training classes for those who wish to qualify for a concealed carry permit. The course costs $75 and includes dinner. They are held every other month. Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario makes decisions on who is issued permits to carry guns after he reviews background checks and applications following training.
“I encourage people to get a concealed handgun permit,” Vallario said. “I think there’s this misunderstanding that we can always be there. But I’ve got about one deputy per 1,000 people. People have the absolute constitutional right to protect themselves.”
Jennifer Hope, the Colorado chapter leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said, “We stand behind the Second Amendment, but we don’t encourage people to carry guns as a public display in places like stores or restaurants.”