Kroger asks customers to quit openly carrying guns in stores

[Julian Englis]

Source: Reuters

U.S. grocer Kroger Co (KR.N) has begun asking customers to stop openly carrying firearms in stores, a change in policy, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Kroger previously had followed local and state laws on the matter, she said.

“Kroger is respectfully asking that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores, other than authorized law enforcement officers,” Jessica Adelman, group vice president of corporate affairs, said in an emailed statement.

“We are also joining those encouraging our elected leaders to pass laws that will strengthen background checks and remove weapons from those who have been found to pose a risk for violence.”

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kroger-guns/kroger-asks-customers-to-quit-openly-carrying-guns-in-stores-idUSKCN1VO2TD

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But how will people defend themselves against fresh produce?

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Brick & mortar retailers stand to lose to Amazon if fear overtakes local consumers

How did we ever operate safely in the 1930s to 2014 without open carry? Rifles were left at home, transported unloaded in the trunk to a firing range. Constabulary forces had control of public spaces without armored vehicles. Heck in the 1930s a billy club was sufficient to subdue most city hoodlums. How did we get to THIS point?

[LiberalFighter]

3. If you go by western movies...

Anyone coming into town had to turn in their firearms to the local sheriff.

[groundloop]

27. That's the way it was - the wild west had gun control.

[3Hotdogs]

15. In the 1930's, you ask?

Did'ja ever hear of Bonnie and Clyde and Baby Face Nelson, or John Dillenger or......

[AdamGG]

24. And FDR outlawed machine guns in the 30s because of them

He didn't have to deal with NRA lobbyists to do it.

[DownriverDem]

31. You

got that right. I left Krogers (Michigan) when I saw a guy with a rifle over his soldier.

[LonePirate]

2. What if you are the victim of a run-by fruiting?

[ChubbyStar]

18. I love that scene

I miss Robin!

[yaesu]

4. so, when are the NRA gun nuts going to start tweeting they will boycott all these stores?nt

[durablend]

5. Soon

MAGAts that frequent the newspaper rubbish columns are hopping mad about Walmart.

[yellowdogintexas]

23. actually, WalMart doing this is a huge surprise.

I read also they are going to no longer sell certain types of ammo

[yellowdogintexas]

22. I have been boycotting Kroger in Texas

ever since open carry began because they allowed carriers into their stores, you know big rifles slung over the shoulder, glock on the hip etc

[SHRED]

6. Ask?

It's their private property.

[Eugene]

7. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms trumps all other rights.

That includes private property and freedom of speech. They want to lock up the mentally ill but they oppose taking away their guns. Also, they just proposed fast-tracking the death penalty for mass shooters.

[PSPS]

12. No, they can ban guns on their property.

[LeftInTX]

13. In Texas, you can post signs banning guns on premises

I assume they don't want to put up signs, but they will probably need to if they mean business.

[appleannie1]

32. In PGH the survivors of the Tree of Life shooting are upset they are seeking the death penalty.

They want the prosecution to do a plea deal for a life sentence instead. Most of them don't want to have to relive that day in a court or have to attend parole hearings the rest of their lives and be reminded of it on a regular basis. Some have even said if it goes to trial, they will not testify as a witness or even show up in court. It would be too much for them to bear.

[yaesu]

8. The wingnuts will probably be carrying more just to prove a point, they know tRump & the fascists

will back them up.

[WVGal1963]

9. Kroger Experience

This is so interesting to me. I was in a Kroger several months ago in Ohio. Hanging out in the produce section, just checking out some items. Over the intercom, I heard “Code _____ in produce. Code _____ in produce.” It was an odd announcement. Clearly, it was something internal to the employees. Along with the other shoppers, we all kind of looked at one another, and continued bustling around with our carts.

As I finished my shopping, and was heading to check-out, I was behind a guy who had a pistol tucked into his back in his belt. I will NEVER forget that moment, or that feeling! There was nothing concealed about it at all. It was just THERE - - visible, stuck in his belt in his back for all to see. I knew then that the odd “code” was because of him. He was just carrying a few items, acting as normal as any other shopper. Except.........THAT!!

I still shake my head. What the hell have we become when this is more and more and more normal????

[bluevoter4life]

16. Sort of along the same lines...

Was walking into a King Soopers (Kroger subsidiary in Colorado). The family walking in front of me had a gentlemen in his maybe early 60's. He was open-carrying. Simply had his pistol strapped to his side for the world to see. The kicker: he had to walk with a cane because he had a very severe limp.

I wanted to ask him 1) if he realized people in his condition would one one of the first targets, and 2) how he planned on countering the kickback of the gun with his cane while using both hands to shoot but I realized he lives in his superhero fantasy world and there is no reasoning with these types of people.

[George II]

10. Why do these chains, Walmart and now Kroger, have to ASK their customers to not carry guns?

TELL them they can't carry guns in their stores. Period.

[LeftInTX]

14. In Texas you must post signs. The signs look OK at airports and libraries etc

Signs probably won't look too hot in front of Walmart or Kroger.

So, they are "asking".....

[Harker]

20. I'd be glad to see them...

but I have no interest in carrying one around.

[MurrayDelph]

25. I noticed years ago

that the Harrah's Reno had signs at every entrance announcing that no weapons are allowed on premises, even with concealed carry permit.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. OTOH, it makes it easier to spot the real fruit.

[Midnight Writer]

17. If I am in a place of business, and I see someone with a gun, I am out of there. Fast.

[rusty quoin]

19. Decades ago that was the normal...to back off and walk out.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

21. I'm with you. Plus I will let managemeny know why I'm leaving when possible.

Are citizens supposed to assume that anyone with a gun is a "good guy with a gun?"

[masmdu]

26. Harris Teeter, too? (Owned by Kroger)

I'm in NC. I immediately leave any store when I see someone with a gun. If I pass customer service as I leave I don't even slow down and just annouce to the manager, "I'm leaving because you all people with guns in here and I just saw one."

[panader0]

28. "Respectfully ask'???

I'm sure that'll deter those gunners.

[Harker]

29. Toters tend to show up

where they're unwanted to flaunt their "right."

[Joe Nation]

30. How about: If you can't shop without a weapon, we don't want your business.

n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

33. But without guns, our self-defense training is useless !

[demigoddess]

34. finally something Kroger does that I can agree with. Otherwise, I still won't

buy their brand.