In the wake of recent mass-casualty shooting events, several retailers are amending their open carry regulations for their stores. Here is a breakdown of who has made these changes.
Regardless of where you stand on gun regulations, gun owners need to be aware of these new changes. To date, these are the following national chains that are banning open carry firearms in all of their locations, even in states where it is legal.
Walmart and Sam's Club
The first big announcement seems to be the Walmart decision on September 3. In an internal memo to all Walmart associates which has since been made public as a press release, the company stated:
"...we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores or Sam’s Clubs in states where 'open carry' is permitted – unless they are authorized law enforcement officers." —Doug McMillon through a Walmart press release.
CVS Health Drugstores
CVS Health Updates Firearms in Stores Policy pic.twitter.com/0ODx6ewJNX
— CVS Health (@CVSHealth) September 5, 2019
Walgreens Drugstores
Walgreens drugstores have also banned open carry firearms in a press release.
@MomsDemand @shannonrwatts thank you for your advocacy on this important issue. Please see the statement we posted this morning: https://t.co/c5FvidR0dr
— Walgreens News (@WalgreensNews) September 5, 2019
Kroger Grocery Stores
In a televised statement to CNBC, grocery chain Kroger stated:
“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 of Kroger, said.
This is a developing story and it certainly bears watching, for gun owners and the public alike. In all of these new policies, the exception to the rule is that armed law enforcement officers are permitted to openly carry their firearms while in uniform.
What are your thoughts on these new open carry rules being put in place by national retailers? Will this change how and where you shop? Let us know what you're thinking in the comment section.