TexasCHLforum.com

Hi SBR and thanks for writing. Unfortunately, those of us who receive this email, including myself, are unable to dictate any policy at our store... including the one you are referencing in this chain of emails. We are the management, but not final decision makers. If you would like to further discuss this policy with someone above us, please contact owner@drafthouse.com and the owner will get back to you. I believe the owner has contacted the TABC recently over inquiries about our signage, which has been posted for nearing a year now. Again, I apologize that I cannot bring more to the table, but I am only a representative of the policy and not, contrary to the popular belief in many of the emails I have received, personally responsible for this decision. I hope the redirection is helpful to you. Happy Holidays!

Yours,

Lauren S. Rogers
General Manager
Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek
512.219.7803

TDDude wrote:Don't you guys realize that Austin is the liberal armpit of Texas?

Get used to it or move.

It's as simple as that.

I've been a fan of Alamo Draft House since moving here a few years ago. The combination of great food, mainstream and off-beat movies makes it my first choice when picking a theater. However, my recent trip to the Lake Creek location made me feel like an unwelcome customer.

As I was purchasing tickets, I saw a Texas Penal Code 30.06 sign on the box office which states, "PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.06, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY HOLDER OF A LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN) A PERSON LICENSED UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (CONCEALED HANDGUN LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A CONCEALED HANDGUN." I was actually a bit insulted to see this. Getting a concealed handgun license involves fingerprinting, background checks and a mandatory ten-hour training class with a licensed instructor. It's extremely rare for a licensee to ever need to use their handgun. It's also extremely rare to have a licensee convicted of any crime. Police are generally more at-ease if they encounter a licensee during a routine traffic stop. They know that we've done the training, fingerprinting, background checks and have jumped through the hoops to obey the law and we're on their side.

Is disheartening to see such a good business that enjoys the protection of the 1st Amendment by offering a wide variety of movies and entertainment treat those that enjoy the protection of the 2nd as unwelcome customers. If Alamo Draft House truly does not want law-abiding concealed handgun licensees as their customers, then I will take my business elsewhere.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your reply.

Hi Pete and thanks for writing. I have enclosed a link passed along
from another member of my management team that lists many commonly
asked questions and the appropriate answers from the Texas Department
of Public Safety Division of Handgun Licensing. There are several
answers to these questions that would qualify our choice to prevent
licensed handguns from being on the premise, however, the point most
applicable in this question and answer series is below:

"Q: Where can I not take my handgun?
A: Handguns and other weapons can not be carried at schools or on
school buses, at polling places, in courts and court offices, at
racetracks and at secured airport areas. The law also specifically
prohibits handguns from businesses where alcohol is sold if more than
half of their revenue is from the sale of alcohol for on-premises
consumption, and from locations where high school, college or
professional sporting events are taking place. You may not carry
handguns in hospitals or nursing homes, amusement parks, places of
worship or at government meetings if signs are posted prohibiting
them. Businesses also may post signs prohibiting handguns on their
premises based on criminal trespass laws."

Below is the link...

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... hl/faq.htm

Ultimately, I most likely will not be able to make you feel better
about our choice. However, it is our choice. The same constitution
that permits you to carry a concealed handgun, supports our right as
a business to not want the handguns in our private business. While
there are probably many responsible members of society licensed to
carry handguns, and you no doubt are one of them, being the employer
of 100 plus non-armed employees, I do support my businesses decision
to post that signage. Please feel free to contact me directly at
lauren@drafthouse.com with further comments or concerns. Where this
topic is concerned, however, I do not have much else to say.

Yours,

Lauren S. Rogers
General Manager
Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek
512.219.7803

Well I am disappointed to hear that. I will be letting my friends and customers know that they too are not welcome at your establishment. If you have time, I would love to know your reasoning behind not letting licensees carry at Lake Creek. Thank you.

BTW, only law-abiding citizens will honor a no-handgun sign. Criminals will not.