Publix appears to reverse course on open-carry guns in its grocery stores

News and commentary for Floridians and other thoughtful Americans

By J.C. Bruce

Tropic Press

In the brief history of this newsletter, few topics have generated more comments and controversy than the decision by Publix supermarkets to permit the open carry of firearms in their grocery stores.

I was flooded with letters from readers disparaging the decision and suggesting, among other things, that “this will lend new meaning to cleanup on Aisle Four.”

Many swore they would never shop there again, fearful of gunfights in the produce section.

And they were skeptical of the company’s reasoning: “Florida law allows the open carry of firearms. Publix follows all federal, state and local laws.”

The law also allows businesses to post signs banning firearms on their premises, so that never made any sense.

The brouhaha began last September when a North Florida appeals court ruled that the state’s ban on the open carry of weapons was unconstitutional. Immediately thereafter, Florida’s appointed attorney general, James Uthmeier, never one to miss an opportunity to grandstand, boldly jumped on the Second Amendment bandwagon and declared that Florida would no longer enforce that law, even though the ruling did not apply statewide.

That was then. Something has changed in the meantime.

I was surprised when I read an account in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, which broke the story, that Publix has apparently reversed its decision.

To confirm, I hopped in my car and drove straightaway to the nearest Publix and, sure enough, there is a sign now posted by the front door that reads:

“Publix kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores.”

You will note that it does not say: NO FIREARMS ALLOWED.

It only refers to openly carried weapons. And it more-or-less reads like a polite suggestion, not a mandate.

Still, in all fairness, I wanted to share this as soon as I learned of it, since Publix gave itself quite a public-relations black eye with their earlier decision.

Why the reversal?

They have not yet responded to that question.

Related:

Publix to allow open carry of firearms in its stores. Do you feel safer now? Will other stores follow suit?

J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press and is an award-winning journalist and author. He holds dual citizenship in the United States of America and his native Florida.

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J.C. Bruce

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