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12/29/2013 @ 8:51AM |37,618 views

Gun Ban At Country Star Toby Keith's Newest Restaurant Causes Outcry

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Keith posed alongside his car collection for a Forbes cover story shoot.

In mid-December, the 15th in country superstar Toby Keith’s growing restaurant chain opened its doors in the North Virginia town of Woodbridge, around 20 miles south of Washington, D.C.

It didn’t take long for diners to notice a sign some saw as incongruous on the door of the self-proclaimed cowboy’s I Love This Bar & Grill: “No Guns Permitted.”

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The singer’s team posted the following statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page on Saturday, after days of social media questions and complaints:

While we understand and respect every person’s right to own and bear arms, we at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill, with guidance from the State of Virginia and based on insurance regulations, have adopted a no weapons policy. It is our desire to provided a safe, enjoyable and entertaining experience for our patrons and staff.

While some gun control activists have posted notes of gratitude underneath the restaurant’s announcement, there are plenty of angry Keith fans and Second Amendment advocates expressing their ire on Facebook:

Virginia is an open carry state, meaning gun enthusiasts are welcome to brandish their weapons openly — except within private premises or businesses that enact a ban.