The National Rifle Association rolled into Nashville these last few days. We brought 80,000 members to celebrate freedom and liberty. Along with all of us came a few hundred media types, and a few dozen misguided folks seeking to recreate past tyrannies.
Obviously, NRA members have strong feelings about guns. We recognize the proven benefits of firearm ownership as well as the proven benefits of right-to-carry. A great percentage of America’s 5% of all adults who have concealed carry licenses are NRA members – and we carry.
And when we see signs that say “NO GUNS”, we typically go elsewhere to conduct business.
This was in full effect in Nashville, on Broadway, the nexus of entertainment in Nashville.
At the height of lunch on Saturday, the peak attendance day for the event, there was an obvious contrast at some businesses.
Need a seat at this establishment that “welcomes” NRA members with a gun-buster sign? There is no waiting.
At another entrance, this was the sign:
Yep, that’s a fine business plan: alienate productive members of society with cash to spend. Is this what passes for a successful business model?
Here’s another establishment:
The Full Moon Saloon. Note the sign over the guy’s shoulder.
Inside?
This guy was playing to an empty house. Not a single table was occupied. At noon. While there were waits of a half-hour or more at some restaurants, this one was as empty.
Contrast that with the Jimmy Buffet place across the street the wife and I left a few minutes earlier, along with $50 of our hard-earned money:
There was a wait for seating. The food wasn’t earth shattering, but the music was very good. And the atmosphere was friendly, courteous and safe. NRA members spent a lot of money inside Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville today, along with other establishments that were truly welcoming.
Not so much at the establishments that proudly adorned their doors with NO GUNS signage.
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