AUSTIN — Starbucks, Chipotle, Sonic and other food and drink chains have an unexpected new ally in their recent decisions to discourage the carrying of firearms in their establishments: the NRA.

On Friday, the NRA weighed in on a spate of recent open carry rallies across Texas, calling them “scary” and “shows a lack of consideration and manners” out of character in the Lone Star State.

“Yet while unlicensed open carry of long guns is also typically legal in most places, it is a rare sight to see someone sidle up next to you in line for lunch with a 7.62 rifle slung across his chest, much less a whole gaggle of folks descending on the same public venue with similar arms,” the NRA statement read.

“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,” it added. “It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates.”

Many of the rallies have been organized by Open Carry Texas, a group started last year after its founder, active U.S. Army Master Sergeant CJ Grisham, was held for resisting arrest after a Temple policeman balked at his carrying a rifle on a hike with his son. Last year, it held armed rallies outside the Alamo and the state Capitol in Austin.

Grisham’s group issued a statement Monday calling the NRA response “unfortunate.” He then told the Chronicle, “On a personal level I’m extremely disappointed, and I’ll be the first to cut up my NRA membership cards.”