Denied Service at Griolis in Virginia (UPDATED)

woodstock · May 30th, 2009, 11:49 PM

I was refused service in Griolis restaurant in Bealeton, VA, unless I left my pistol outside. I uncovered my handgun when I entered the restaurant, as required in Virginia, and was shown to a booth. Then before we even sat down the man asked me to take “that” outside. I pointed out that I’d been there many times and it has never been a problem before. He told me a police officer had recently told him one can’t carry a gun in there because they serve alcohol and because there are small children there

I corrected him on the law and told him the officer (if there even was such an officer) was wrong. But if that was what he preferred then I preferred to spend my money somewhere else. My wife and son and I then left.

Then I went home and sent the following to the corporate e-mail address. I haven’t received any acknowledgement of my e-mail.

“I am sad to report that I will not be able to enjoy the fantastic food and previously wonderful service at your restaurant in Bealeton , Virginia .

I tried to take my family to dinner at your Griolis in Bealeton , VA last night, June 23, 2009. A man, I think he’s the manager or owner, who has seen me with my legally carried handgun in there numerous times and never said a word before, asked me tonight to leave my pistol outside. I pointed out that I have carried in there before and they’ve never objected. He told me that a policeman had told him that people can’t carry handguns in there because there are little children in there.

If there actually was a police officer telling him such things, and I suspect that was a ruse, then the officer was distributing misinformation either due to a lack of understanding or deliberately to support his own beliefs. I have a feeling that the employee/manager was simply using this story to avoid just saying he preferred to discriminate against gun owners.

Under Virginia statute it is legal to openly carry a handgun in an establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on premises. It is not legal to carry a concealed handgun in such an establishment.

I told him that since it was his place he could request I leave if he preferred. His answer was that he did prefer that. So I told him in that case I prefer to spend my money somewhere else. I also told him I would spread the word that some people are not welcome there.

Is it a corporate policy at Griolis to discriminate against gun owners? While we may not be a protected category under federal civil rights laws, we do consider it discrimination and we are very vocal about it. We will make certain that every other gun owner, and all our friends, know that a company discriminates. I spent a 23+ year career in the U.S. Air Force protecting your rights only to have you discriminate and deny me my constitionally protected rights. I was even wearing a cap proclaiming “U.S. Air Force Retired” at the time of this incident.

If it is your policy to discriminate you should own up to it up front and not wait until taking a party to their table and attempt to embarrass them there in a crowded restaurant. It won’t embarrass me; I’ll simply explain to your employee, and everyone within earshot, what the truth of the law is.

I will wait one week, until May 30, 2009, for your response before I decide whether to post my experience on every gun owner forum I know of.”

So I urge all of you in Virginia and North Carolina, and anywhere else they open a property, to avoid all of Griolis restaurants since they are anti-Second Amendment.

grandma4 · May 31st, 2009, 12:06 AM

seems to me that it is too bad you didn't have the copy of the law with you. Not that it would have made much difference but I would have read it loudly.

United93 · May 31st, 2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodstock

I tried to take my family to dinner at your Griolis in Bealeton , VA last night, June 23, 2009.

Umm...perhaps that is why you encountered some problems - you tried to take your family into the future!

Seriously, that really sucks. I certainly would not spend money at such an establishment. In addition, if a real cop did indead tell him that, he should be informed as to what blinking laws he is to enforce!

cwblanco · May 31st, 2009, 12:29 AM

Regardless of what the law says, there is no law that says they have to allow open carry in the restuarant.

Perhaps you might be well advised to get a concealed permit. You are over 21

rmarkob · May 31st, 2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwblanco

Regardless of what the law says, there is no law that says they have to allow open carry in the restuarant.

Perhaps you might be well advised to get a concealed permit. You are over 21

Concealed carry is not permitted in restaurants serving alcohol under VA law. Open carry is allowed there, and is the only type carry allowed is such places.

wmhawth · May 31st, 2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmarkob

Concealed carry is not permitted in restaurants serving alcohol under VA law. Open carry is allowed there, and is the only type carry allowed is such places.

How ridiculous. Looks like a formula for trouble. VA would do well to revise that one.

paramedic70002 · May 31st, 2009, 01:22 AM

Tell that to our soon to be ex Governor who has shot it down 2 years in a row. His replacement may not be much better.

celticredneck · May 31st, 2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmhawth

How ridiculous. Looks like a formula for trouble. VA would do well to revise that one.

We tried. It was passed with a large majority in this years General Assembly. However our "Esteemed Governor?" saw fit to veto the restaurant carry bill, because, as he and Senator Marsh said, "If we allow concealed carry in bars, someone might bring a gun and shoot someone." Of course this totally ignores, 1. We can already open carry in restaurants that serve alcohol. @ There are no bars in Virginia, only restaurants which can serve liquor by the drink, and 3. Anyone who is planning on murdering someone is not going to worry about breaking a law that says they can't carry a concealed handgun.

sigmanluke · May 31st, 2009, 09:14 AM

That's too bad that they were dumb about it. I thought your letter was well written, (except the date). Good job for sticking up for yourself to the man.

ritepath · May 31st, 2009, 10:21 AM

I have my Va CHP can we CC in WV in places that serve alcohol?

or can you even carry in places like applebees in WV?

May 30th, 2009, 11:49 PM	#1
woodstock Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Culpeper, VA Posts: 113	Denied Service at Griolis in Virginia (UPDATED) I was refused service in Griolis restaurant in Bealeton, VA, unless I left my pistol outside. I uncovered my handgun when I entered the restaurant, as required in Virginia, and was shown to a booth. Then before we even sat down the man asked me to take “that” outside. I pointed out that I’d been there many times and it has never been a problem before. He told me a police officer had recently told him one can’t carry a gun in there because they serve alcohol and because there are small children there I corrected him on the law and told him the officer (if there even was such an officer) was wrong. But if that was what he preferred then I preferred to spend my money somewhere else. My wife and son and I then left. Then I went home and sent the following to the corporate e-mail address. I haven’t received any acknowledgement of my e-mail. “I am sad to report that I will not be able to enjoy the fantastic food and previously wonderful service at your restaurant in Bealeton , Virginia . I tried to take my family to dinner at your Griolis in Bealeton , VA last night, June 23, 2009. A man, I think he’s the manager or owner, who has seen me with my legally carried handgun in there numerous times and never said a word before, asked me tonight to leave my pistol outside. I pointed out that I have carried in there before and they’ve never objected. He told me that a policeman had told him that people can’t carry handguns in there because there are little children in there. If there actually was a police officer telling him such things, and I suspect that was a ruse, then the officer was distributing misinformation either due to a lack of understanding or deliberately to support his own beliefs. I have a feeling that the employee/manager was simply using this story to avoid just saying he preferred to discriminate against gun owners. Under Virginia statute it is legal to openly carry a handgun in an establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on premises. It is not legal to carry a concealed handgun in such an establishment. I told him that since it was his place he could request I leave if he preferred. His answer was that he did prefer that. So I told him in that case I prefer to spend my money somewhere else. I also told him I would spread the word that some people are not welcome there. Is it a corporate policy at Griolis to discriminate against gun owners? While we may not be a protected category under federal civil rights laws, we do consider it discrimination and we are very vocal about it. We will make certain that every other gun owner, and all our friends, know that a company discriminates. I spent a 23+ year career in the U.S. Air Force protecting your rights only to have you discriminate and deny me my constitionally protected rights. I was even wearing a cap proclaiming “U.S. Air Force Retired” at the time of this incident. If it is your policy to discriminate you should own up to it up front and not wait until taking a party to their table and attempt to embarrass them there in a crowded restaurant. It won’t embarrass me; I’ll simply explain to your employee, and everyone within earshot, what the truth of the law is. I will wait one week, until May 30, 2009, for your response before I decide whether to post my experience on every gun owner forum I know of.” So I urge all of you in Virginia and North Carolina, and anywhere else they open a property, to avoid all of Griolis restaurants since they are anti-Second Amendment. __________________ Rick N. Culpeper, VA Last edited by Miggy; June 21st, 2009 at 09:52 AM.. Reason: Title change for OP

May 31st, 2009, 01:22 AM	#7
paramedic70002 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Franklin, VA Posts: 2,645	Tell that to our soon to be ex Governor who has shot it down 2 years in a row. His replacement may not be much better. __________________ Guns Save Lives. Paramedics Save Lives. But... Paramedics With Guns Scare People!

May 31st, 2009, 09:14 AM	#9
sigmanluke Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 1,604	That's too bad that they were dumb about it. I thought your letter was well written, (except the date). Good job for sticking up for yourself to the man. __________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

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May 31st, 2009, 12:29 AM	#4
cwblanco Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 686	Regardless of what the law says, there is no law that says they have to allow open carry in the restuarant. Perhaps you might be well advised to get a concealed permit. You are over 21

May 31st, 2009, 10:21 AM	#10
ritepath Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bland, Va Posts: 56	I have my Va CHP can we CC in WV in places that serve alcohol? or can you even carry in places like applebees in WV?