After gun rights advocates brought military-style assault rifles into one of their stores in Texas, food chain Chipotle, who has been romancing the literati of late, has politely requested that its customers don't bring guns into their stores.

The request, which is not being described as an out-and-out ban, came in a statement from the Denver-based company this afternoon.

"Recently participants from an 'open carry' demonstration in Texas brought guns (including military-style assault rifles) into one of our restaurants, causing many of our customers anxiety and discomfort," a statement from Chipotle reads. "Because of this we are respectfully asking that customers not bring guns into our restaurants, unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel."

The burrito-brick maker says it generally defers to local laws on most issues, but after a petition by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the chain is growing more forceful on the issue.

"The vast majority of gun owners are responsible citizens and we appreciate them honoring this request. . . . And we hope that our customers who oppose the carrying of guns in public agree with us that it is the role of elected officials and the legislative process to set policy in this area, not the role of businesses like Chipotle."

According to the Associated Press, Starbucks instituted a policy last year that asked customers to refrain from bringing guns into their cafes, but also hadn't gone as far as to ban them.

[Image via AP]