Perhaps it is time to apply some pressure.

[Volphin]

I was wondering if anyone would join me in a peaceful protest of those restaurants that will not welcome us. My idea is to have many of us show up to the targeted eatery in large numbers and be seated during their busiest time on a Friday or Saturday night. We then all order a tea and have conversation for as long as we can hold out before being kicked out. No food or alcohol orders. Each of us, when asked to leave, hand to the manager a preprinted card with a blank filled in detailing how much we have spent in the restaurant in the last year, and what we would have spent today IF they had only chosen to be inclusive of us law abiding permit holders. It would also be a great way to get to know others on the board and others that support our cause.

[Guest eyebedam]

While I applaud you're motive & thoughts think of the poor server who will be affected. It will cost him or her money. I would be down with this if the server would be tipped well for the time & possible income he or she would lose during our protest.

[LagerHead]

Volphin, I gotta say, I like the way you think. The idea may have merit if you can almost fill up a restaurant.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I'm not worried about the restaurants...I'm worried about my country.

[Fallguy]

Been discussed before, didnt' seem like a lot of support for it and many thought it would more hurtful than helpful.

[DavidCBaker]

There's no way I'd do that. You'll make more enemies, and for no purpose. It's not going to change their mind, but may in fact harden their perspective on gun owners. I'd much rather have a kind, reasonable discussion with the owner.

I was wondering if anyone would join me in a peaceful protest of those restaurants that will not welcome us. My idea is to have many of us show up to the targeted eatery in large numbers and be seated during their busiest time on a Friday or Saturday night. We then all order a tea and have conversation for as long as we can hold out before being kicked out. No food or alcohol orders. Each of us, when asked to leave, hand to the manager a preprinted card with a blank filled in detailing how much we have spent in the restaurant in the last year, and what we would have spent today IF they had only chosen to be inclusive of us law abiding permit holders. It would also be a great way to get to know others on the board and others that support our cause.

[Volphin]

While I applaud you're motive & thoughts think of the poor server who will be affected. It will cost him or her money. I would be down with this if the server would be tipped well for the time & possible income he or she would lose during our protest.

Good thought. We should tip the server what our bill would have been.

All I'm saying is that it may take 2 or three actual random protests before some business get the message and act in the best interest of their wallets.

This country was built on freedoms and good old fashioned capitalism. I simply think that there ought to be a visible way to let them know how important we are to the overall economic health of this state.

Everything we have in this country we had to fight for. I do not advocate violence in any way. In order to affect change (yes, I said it! lol) we must be VISIBLE, peaceful and effective.

[Volphin]

There's no way I'd do that. You'll make more enemies, and for no purpose. It's not going to change their mind, but may in fact harden their perspective on gun owners. I'd much rather have a kind, reasonable discussion with the owner.

Thanks for the reply David, and you may be right in some cases. Perhaps it would be better to flood a place that welcomes us and spending lots of our hard earned cash there and making it known who we are and WHY we chose their establishment. Word travels fast in this economy.

[DavidCBaker]

I like that idea of turning it around, patronizing a restaurant that welcomes HCPers, and then trying to get some publicity for it. Now THAT is something I'd love to participate in. Much more positive.

[Guest D.B. Cooper]

Yes, finding a restaurant that serves alcohol and has chosen not to post a sign... that is the best example of a place to choose for this type of thing... I used to live in Atlanta and the gun folks there often would organize "meet and greet and open carries" at restaurants to show their support of restaurant owners that support them.

If anyone wants to do this in Chattanooga, I'd be willing to organize one. Heck, for the right numbers, I'd drive to Knoxville or Nashville if someone wants me to organize one.

[Guest GimpyLeg]

I like that idea of turning it around, patronizing a restaurant that welcomes HCPers, and then trying to get some publicity for it. Now THAT is something I'd love to participate in. Much more positive.

+1

[Punisher84]

If you guys organize more than 3-5 people around here to actually assert their rights let me know. David tried this and all he got was shafted for it.

[DavidCBaker]

If you guys organize more than 3-5 people around here to actually assert their rights let me know. David tried this and all he got was shafted for it.

You've missed your calling. I can really see you as a motivational speaker. :-\

[Guest HexHead]

Good thought. We should tip the server what our bill would have been.

All I'm saying is that it may take 2 or three actual random protests before some business get the message and act in the best interest of their wallets.

I'm afraid we'd have to screw the waitstaff too if you want them to be pressuring the owner as well.

[Guest canynracer]

If you guys organize more than 3-5 people around here to actually assert their rights let me know. David tried this and all he got was shafted for it.

You've missed your calling. I can really see you as a motivational speaker. :-\

Maybe you can be his opening act?

There's no way I'd do that. You'll make more enemies, and for no purpose. It's not going to change their mind, but may in fact harden their perspective on gun owners. I'd much rather have a kind, reasonable discussion with the owner.

[Punisher84]

You've missed your calling. I can really see you as a motivational speaker. :-\

I'm actually an excellent speaker when speaking to a group of people that give a ****.

Maybe you can be his opening act?

That's what we in the motivational speaking business call "getting owned."

[DavidCBaker]

:D

[Punisher84]

:D:D

And just so you know I'm mainly playing around none of this is directed at you. it's just a throwback to the thread that David tried to get everyone to get together and do SOMETHING, but nobody would agree or really muster and it just got watered down with BS.

I have not eaten in any posted place and I have e-mailed or spoken with people at each establishment. I think we need to do something and the people that don't want to just need to sit back, shut up, and get out of our way.

[DavidCBaker]

No offense taken at all. After I saw my statement and your statement together, I realized it was pretty hypocritical of me.

I don't really know what to do, either. I just don't want to further polarize the public.

[DaveTN]

All I'm saying is that it may take 2 or three actual random protests before some business get the message and act in the best interest of their wallets.

You are acting on emotion and you assume that you know more about their business than they do. Those of us that want to carry guns are the very small minority; they will not miss you or your money.

However… (And this has come up before), if the press happens to get hold of what you are doing they will make you look like thugs. They will pick out the nastiest looking person with his wife beater T-shirt and bloused boots and put him on camera explaining how we are going to force restaurants into submission.

Carrying a gun in Tennessee is not a right; you are part of a “special groupâ€. And we all know how fast the public will turn on a special group.

[Guest trigem]

Get a group together, go into said posted restaurant and let them know because they are posted, Only the BG's will have guns there, I'll have to go to another restaurant where I can feel safe! Or at least be able to protect my loved ones

Be nice,

My Supervisor said to me the other day that she wished she could post:screwy:

I than explained to her that it will be a GO sign for any BG knowing he would not have to worry about the good guys with guns!!!,

She never thought of that:tinfoil: She has seen the light:popcorn:

[Volphin]

You are acting on emotion and you assume that you know more about their business than they do. Those of us that want to carry guns are the very small minority; they will not miss you or your money.

However… (And this has come up before), if the press happens to get hold of what you are doing they will make you look like thugs. They will pick out the nastiest looking person with his wife beater T-shirt and bloused boots and put him on camera explaining how we are going to force restaurants into submission.

Carrying a gun in Tennessee is not a right; you are part of a “special groupâ€. And we all know how fast the public will turn on a special group.

Dave, I'm not acting on emotion. Simple logic and over 20 years of experience in business. I am also a public relations consultant entrusted by clients in several states to look over and manage their media coverage. The scenario you paint is a risk, but with proper PLANNING and preparation, it is easily avoided by even a new graduate in this science. Most in the media (locally) are highly misinformed and are very busy chasing the scanner, looking over pitched CI stories, and the poli beat. I'd be glad to outline a strategy with you if you want to contribute to the planning. And the way I see it, if you are squeamish about asserting your Federal 2nd amendment rights, rights as a TN permit holder and think that makes us a "special interest group" then I kind of feel sorry for you. Future generations will ask us what we did to preserve their rights. I'm not going to look into their eyes and answer with "but I could've, should've, or would've.

[Guest 3pugguy]

I'm not worried about the restaurants...I'm worried about my country.

Guess we kind of have that chance in 2010 to hand some of those who are causing us problems (like debt, which worries me) a "card" in 2010. Not being flippant - I understand your point from other posts.

To the point the thread originator made, imho his heart is in the right place, but as Fallguy noted, the idea did not get much support before when it was floated and I agree with the assertion an action such as this would very likely alienate more folks than it would sway to our viewpoint.

I would agree we should perhaps have a TGO approved form letter we could use to at least formally make our point - but keeping it on point, polite, and professional.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Thanks, I was in a funk for about five minutes when I posted that.

As to how to treat restaurants...By their fruit ye shall know them...

"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts." - John Locke

[eapking]

Yes, finding a restaurant that serves alcohol and has chosen not to post a sign... that is the best example of a place to choose for this type of thing... I used to live in Atlanta and the gun folks there often would organize "meet and greet and open carries" at restaurants to show their support of restaurant owners that support them.

If anyone wants to do this in Chattanooga, I'd be willing to organize one. Heck, for the right numbers, I'd drive to Knoxville or Nashville if someone wants me to organize one.

I think this is a much better idea. Having a big organized turnout at a non-posted place (like that Johnny Brusco's) will be better.