My letter to Skyline Chili

[rayban]

So I guess you can have a 3-way, 4-way, or a 5-way....you just can't have it your way.....

They have a drive through don't they? Why not use that? That way you don't have to announce you're carrying.

 

[beatledog7]

Skyline is a business, and like any business it is free to make choices that it thinks are in its interests. Its corporate counsel must have decided that the few customers it might lose by posting a no-guns policy would be more than offset by the increase in customer count it could garner through providing a gun-free dining experience. Or maybe it's something more complex. But if I were placing bet on its reasoning, I'd go for it being more profit-risk based than political.

Yes, the concept of a gun-free dining experience is laughable, but it's in keeping with the mindset held by so many, the same one that drives gun-free zones anywhere else.

The OP could press this privately held business for explanations that appeases him, but what's the point? Skyline is under no obligation to explain its policies to him, and he's under no obligation to spend his money at Skyline.

While it may seem noble on its face, this staunch refusal to do business with any company or person that has an anti-gun policy of any kind is fruitless--you simply can't do it. There are too many anti-gun tentacles in too many places. Might as well try to avoid breathing the same air an anti breathes.

 

[steelerdude99]

...
The OP could press this privately held business for explanations that appeases him, but what's the point? Skyline is under no obligation to explain its policies to him, and he's under no obligation to spend his money at Skyline.

While it may seem noble on its face, this staunch refusal to do business with any company or person that has an anti-gun policy of any kind is fruitless--you simply can't do it. There are too many anti-gun tentacles in too any places. Might as well try to avoid breathing the same air an anti breathes.

The pizza chain most likely will not change their stance from a former patron’s letter. When one, two … or more letters arrives saying they went to the competitor, they may get the message. The story that I loved was that Starbucks wants to patrons to just “follow the law”. The anti-gun’ers are somehow offended by this.

chuck

 

[Russ Jackson]

Skyline is a business, and like any business it is free to make choices that it thinks are in its interests. Its corporate counsel must have decided that the few customers it might lose by posting a no-guns policy would be more than offset by the increase in customer count it could garner through providing a gun-free dining experience. Or maybe it's something more complex. But if I were placing bet on its reasoning, I'd go for it being more profit-risk based than political.

Yes, the concept of a gun-free dining experience is laughable, but it's in keeping with the mindset held by so many, the same one that drives gun-free zones anywhere else.

The OP could press this privately held business for explanations that appeases him, but what's the point? Skyline is under no obligation to explain its policies to him, and he's under no obligation to spend his money at Skyline.

While it may seem noble on its face, this staunch refusal to do business with any company or person that has an anti-gun policy of any kind is fruitless--you simply can't do it. There are too many anti-gun tentacles in too any places. Might as well try to avoid breathing the same air an anti breathes.

I do not think they need to explain their policies, however bringing up there stand against the 2nd amendment and telling them that you and others will not go there will have an impact. You can vote with your dollars and sooner or later they will change or maybe go out of business. Losing 20 regulars will hurt the bottom line. Especially to a local chain. I do not think they are doing very well anyway as I see the parking lot is usually vacant.

 

[beatledog7]

Nothing wrong with expressing oneself, of course. I merely note that a company that decides to have a no-guns policy has made the decision with business considerations in mind and will hold onto that policy as long as business conditions warrant it. Skyline apparently thinks that more people will decide to have some of their chili because of the supposedly gun-free environment than will decide not to because of the no-guns policy.

A handful or even a lot of customers voicing opposition to the policy is unlikely to have any effect beyond making those who spoke out feel better. The only thing that will make Skyline change its policy, provided I'm right about it being revenue-based, is actual, measurable loss of profit that can be demonstrably linked to the no-guns policy. If one guy takes his family of four to Skyline because they don't allow guns, and one guy decides to take his family of four elsewhere because of that same policy, it's a wash to Skyline.

 

[ezypikns]

You've absolutely done the right thing.

You stated very clearly your objections and carried through with your decision. I applaud you and others like you.


Of course you know, Skyline doesn't really serve chili. Please come to Texas and have some real chili.

 

[bthr22]

ezypikns: Oh, trust me, I love some good, homemade chili. Venison chili is particularly good. But if I'm ever in the Dallas area, I'll be sure to give you a call!

In regards to the reply I sent them, I haven't gotten a response. I would be surprised if I did. But I feel like I did what I needed to do, and hopefully it made some kind of progress.

 

[yzguy87]

Thanks OP for the info. Message sent!

 

[rooter]

They did exactly what they should have when you threatened them. Kind of lets you know just how important you really are to them, doesn't it?

 

[HorseSoldier]

"...based on input from local police, our trade associations and our corporate counsel..."

Ask for quotes and/or names of who their "input" was from.

I'd also be interested in hearing what "local police" actually had to say on the matter. I field calls to my agency from businesses with concealed carry related questions concerning clients and employees from time to time and my first order of business in those conversations is to always stress that my department does not have a policy either for or against concealed carry. I then provide information/education on what state a local laws state and such, but my agency does not advocate against (or for) concealed carry in any location where it is legally allowed.

 

[Rimfaxe]

Here you go... I made reference to the Luby's Cafeteria massacre in Texas in 1991, a nice touch I thought.

Hello,

My name is ........, and I have been a big supporter of Skyline Chili my whole life.

I recently went to Skyline with my friends for a meal. As we walked in, we noticed a no firearms sign on the door. I am licensed to carry a concealed firearm, and had to return to my car and lock my gun away. Concealed Carry is a very important issue to me, and I believe that law abiding citizens should not be restricted. I am trained, had an FBI background check, and I'm licensed in the state to carry. A "No Gun" sign will not stop a criminal. It only restricts, and endangers the law abiding citizens.

I am old enough to remember the massacre at Luby's Cafeteria in 1991. You can look it up here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luby's_massacre

On October 16, 1991, 35-year-old George "Jo Jo" Pierre Hennard, an unemployed merchant mariner or able seaman who was described by others as angry and withdrawn, with a dislike of women, drove his blue 1987 Ford Ranger pickup truck through the front window of a Luby's cafeteria at 1705 East Central Texas Expressway in Killeen. Yelling "This is what Bell County did to me!", Hennard then opened fire on its patrons and staff with a Glock 17 pistol and, later, a Ruger P89. He stalked, shot, and killed 23 people while wounding another 20 before committing suicide.

I will not eat a an establishment that restricts my 2nd Amendment Rights.

Skyline may be prudent to review your potential liability by placing such a sign in your window.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.