The Colorado town of Rifle was founded in 1882, and took its name from the Rifle Creek which flows through the town – that, in turn, was named after a trapper left his weapon on its banks around the time. Given that, it seems reasonable for a town restaurant to be called “Shooter’s”, though it isn’t quite what it sounds like. Said co-owner Lauren Boebert, “I consulted with my Christian friends and everyone said ‘Shooters’ sounded like a bar or a strip joint. But I thought, this is Rifle — it was founded around guns and the Old West. We called it Shooters and started throwing guns and Jesus all over the place.” And what do they mean by that? To quote the AP report: “As she takes your order, waitress Ashlee Saenz carries a pad, pen and a loaded Ruger .357 Blackhawk revolver holstered on her leg, Old West style. It’s loaded, and she knows how to use it.” One imagines no customer ever dares stiff a waitress on her tip in this establishment.
It’s a theme Shooters carries beyond their armed serving-staff, also hosting classes that qualify attendees for a concealed carry permit – the one in May drew 25 people, paying $75 (which also included dinner). And local police chief John Dyer is entirely fine with it, perhaps in part because the town hasn’t seen a shooting death in well over a decade, the last such being in 2001. “If it was a bar, I might be saying something different.” [The restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol – not even shots, hohoho] “But I have no problem with it. And besides, they make a really good burger.”
I’ll admit, some aspects of this seem a little strange: girls with guns, fine, but girls with guns and Jesus? That’s a new one on me, and none of the reports delve further into that aspect, which I’d have thought would have merited additional inquiry. While not exactly an expert on the Bible, I seem to recall Jesus being rather more into loving thy neighbour, though on the other hand, he never expressed any particular opinion on the topic of the Second Amendment. But I’m still down with the idea, even if personally, I think they could improve on it by having the waitresses dress to match the theme as well: cowgirl, policewoman, Milla Jovovich, etc. When the zombie apocalypse happens, between the good burgers and the girls with guns, there would probably be no better place to take refuge!
