Plan B Forum

US fast-food chain Chipotle has asked customers not to bring firearms into its restaurants, after a group of gun rights advocates carried assault-style rifles into one in Texas.

Following the display, a gun control group launched an online petition to put pressure on the company.

Chipotle said the guns caused "many of our customers anxiety and discomfort".

Many US states allow people to carry guns in some fashion, but businesses may ban them.

Denver-based Chipotle, which serves Mexican-style food, joins coffee giant Starbucks in requesting customers not bring guns into their locations.

In a statement provided to the BBC, Chipotle said it previously deferred to local laws as to do otherwise would "put our team members in the uncomfortable position" of asking customers not to carry guns.

But it was now "respectfully asking that customers not bring guns into our restaurants" unless they were law enforcement officials.

"The vast majority of gun owners are responsible citizens and we appreciate them honouring this request," Chipotle said in its statement, adding it was the role of elected officials "to set policy in this area, not the role of businesses like Chipotle".