A gun rights activist group known as Open Carry Texas and the National Rifle Association are at odds over the demonstrative act of openly carrying weapons in public places.

Open Carry Texas has made a name for itself by carrying rifles in populated areas like restaurants. As a result, Applebee's, Jack in the Box, Starbucks, Wendy's, and most recently Chipotle, Chili's and Sonic have banned firearms, according to Fox News.

Open Carry Texas' controversial demonstrations evoked criticism from the NRA, who said that these activists have gone from exhibiting zealousness to "downright foolishness."

"Texas, independent-minded and liberty-loving place that it is, doesn't ban the carrying of loaded long guns in public, nor does it require a permit for this activity. Yet some so-called firearm advocates seem determined to change this," the NRA wrote in a statement on Friday. "Let's not mince words, not only is it rare, it's downright weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while being prepared to defend yourself. ... the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one's cause, it can be downright scary. It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates."

In response, C.J. Grisham, Open Carry Texas founder, said he is determined "to prove to the Legislature that we're not yahoos or weird or anything like that" and won't stop demonstrating.

"On a personal level I'm extremely disappointed, and I'll be the first to cut up my NRA membership cards," the 40-year-old told Houston Chronicle.

Open Carry Texas also fired back at the NRA via Facebook and their blog.

"It is unfortunate that an organization that claims to be dedicated to the preservation of gun rights would attack another organization fighting so hard for those rights in Texas. The fact is that the NRA hasn't been able to get open carry passed in Texas ...," the group said. "The real ignorance in their statement is that it was completely unnecessary."

In addition, two well-known Texan gun rights activists are criticizing Open Carry Texas' tactics as well, saying the group is hurting chances of an open carry bill passing in 2015.

"I have told the groups that I have talked to not to do this right now. This could be harmful in getting it passed," state Rep. George Lavender, a Republican from Texarkana who has tried to pass open carry legislation twice, told Houston Chronicle. "At this point when we have everything lined up to pass, why take a chance on bad publicity to set us back?"

"It's actually probably hurting," Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson added.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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