I am a 67 year old white male boomer. Politically center-left. I have lived too long to ever write that "I would never ______." There is complexity and too many unknowns to say never. I also don't post much and do not have a Facebook account. With that qualification in place, when Publix made the policy decision to allow open carry guns I decided to only go to Publix as a last resort. Fresh Market and produce stands are first choice, Whole Foods second choice and then Publix if that was the only option. maybe enough people felt the same and Publix noticed. Let's hope.
I just think it’s crazy to need a firearm to buy groceries or see a movie. Nowadays people will shoot and claim self defense over an argument. Open carry just concretes more senseless shootings. Bravo Publix for reversing! I’ll just get delivery but thanks.
I stopped shopping at Publix after learning that one of the daughters donated heavily to January 6th. I've since learned that she has died but their other daughter is still a heavy Republican contributor. I don't think this is going to help me want to go back yet but I'm happy they're doing that
People bring their dogs in all the time, even when there were signs asking them not to, or only asking for service animals and PEOPLE DO NOT CARE and bring Fido in anyway
So I fully expect Floridians to continue to not care and open carry anyway.
But, Publix is Maga anyway so it's kind of on brand for its customers to not respect others
A store’s “mandate” that “no fire arms allowed” is unenforceable although I believe there has been activity to allow a business to override the state law. Publix wanted to appease both MAGA and “no tread on me” people who love guns. Now “open carry” is as far as their Neanderthal leadership can stomach. I’m so disheartened that our culture fights for gun rights while children and innocent people are killed daily. Moreover, we seem to support a “war” mentality over civility. Dangerous and embarrassing.
I stopped shopping at Publix when I learned of their blatant welcome to open firearms. I have never been back. There is nothing I want or need badly enough to shop there again, despite any soft backpedaling, outright bans or other PR ploys. Not shopping there is a pleasure. I am buying the freshest produce and all of my groceries elsewhere.
I have gotten used to not shopping Publix. No reason to start going back. Prices at Publix are way higher except for bogos then they are about equal to WM or others.
I used to shop at Publix until I learned how strongly they support Republican campaigns and values. The final nail in my Publix coffin is the open carry policy. It's obvious they prefer to pocket profits and don't care if people are dying because of their political stances or because of the weapons being carried into their stores. Sprouts, Aldi and online grocery services that support environmental protection, organic foods, and political policies that foster societal good get my business now.
A bit of history: Sometime in the 1990's, Publix allowed a ultra right wing group to distribute pamphlets listing candidates with their religion, family size, and answer to a few questions. The health question was whether they were against abortion. The other questions were similarly slanted. This caused a ruckus in Palm Beach County--lots of people boycotted Publix, including me. When I shopped, instead, at a Winn Dixie across from my usual Publix, I spoke with the manager and he noted that there had been a huge increase in traffic and now he knew why. Publix withdrew the pamphlets, at least in our area--other areas, I understand, had an increase in shopers.
I stopped shopping at Publix over this issue. I have too many other choices of other grocers, even though I love my local Publix and their staff. I will be returning.
I live 2 blocks from a Publix. My wife and I would always shop there . During covid we were disappointed by Publix not filling perscriptions for covid for minors. That didn't alter our shopping there. When they announced they would allow open carry we decided we would not shop there anymore and started going to Walmart. After shopping at Walmart and Aldis we never went to Publix again, now I will go there but only for emergency beer.
J.C., I believe you are wrong that the Sun-Sentinel broke that story. I believe Suncoast Searchlight posted their story at 3 p.m. May 5, a day earlier. Sun-Sentinel pubbed theirs May 6 at 8 p.m. Nothing against the Sun Sentinel, but give that upstart non-profit Florida newsroom some props! https://suncoastsearchlight.org/publix-change-open-carry-store-policy/
I am a 67 year old white male boomer. Politically center-left. I have lived too long to ever write that "I would never ______." There is complexity and too many unknowns to say never. I also don't post much and do not have a Facebook account. With that qualification in place, when Publix made the policy decision to allow open carry guns I decided to only go to Publix as a last resort. Fresh Market and produce stands are first choice, Whole Foods second choice and then Publix if that was the only option. maybe enough people felt the same and Publix noticed. Let's hope.
I just think it’s crazy to need a firearm to buy groceries or see a movie. Nowadays people will shoot and claim self defense over an argument. Open carry just concretes more senseless shootings. Bravo Publix for reversing! I’ll just get delivery but thanks.
I stopped shopping at Publix after learning that one of the daughters donated heavily to January 6th. I've since learned that she has died but their other daughter is still a heavy Republican contributor. I don't think this is going to help me want to go back yet but I'm happy they're doing that
People bring their dogs in all the time, even when there were signs asking them not to, or only asking for service animals and PEOPLE DO NOT CARE and bring Fido in anyway
So I fully expect Floridians to continue to not care and open carry anyway.
But, Publix is Maga anyway so it's kind of on brand for its customers to not respect others
A store’s “mandate” that “no fire arms allowed” is unenforceable although I believe there has been activity to allow a business to override the state law. Publix wanted to appease both MAGA and “no tread on me” people who love guns. Now “open carry” is as far as their Neanderthal leadership can stomach. I’m so disheartened that our culture fights for gun rights while children and innocent people are killed daily. Moreover, we seem to support a “war” mentality over civility. Dangerous and embarrassing.
I stopped shopping at Publix when I learned of their blatant welcome to open firearms. I have never been back. There is nothing I want or need badly enough to shop there again, despite any soft backpedaling, outright bans or other PR ploys. Not shopping there is a pleasure. I am buying the freshest produce and all of my groceries elsewhere.
I have gotten used to not shopping Publix. No reason to start going back. Prices at Publix are way higher except for bogos then they are about equal to WM or others.
I still won't shop there knowing many folks are too comfortable ...packing heat
Another reason not to go to Publix
Bravo Publix! I feel a lot safer!!
I used to shop at Publix until I learned how strongly they support Republican campaigns and values. The final nail in my Publix coffin is the open carry policy. It's obvious they prefer to pocket profits and don't care if people are dying because of their political stances or because of the weapons being carried into their stores. Sprouts, Aldi and online grocery services that support environmental protection, organic foods, and political policies that foster societal good get my business now.
A bit of history: Sometime in the 1990's, Publix allowed a ultra right wing group to distribute pamphlets listing candidates with their religion, family size, and answer to a few questions. The health question was whether they were against abortion. The other questions were similarly slanted. This caused a ruckus in Palm Beach County--lots of people boycotted Publix, including me. When I shopped, instead, at a Winn Dixie across from my usual Publix, I spoke with the manager and he noted that there had been a huge increase in traffic and now he knew why. Publix withdrew the pamphlets, at least in our area--other areas, I understand, had an increase in shopers.
I stopped shopping at Publix over this issue. I have too many other choices of other grocers, even though I love my local Publix and their staff. I will be returning.
I live 2 blocks from a Publix. My wife and I would always shop there . During covid we were disappointed by Publix not filling perscriptions for covid for minors. That didn't alter our shopping there. When they announced they would allow open carry we decided we would not shop there anymore and started going to Walmart. After shopping at Walmart and Aldis we never went to Publix again, now I will go there but only for emergency beer.
J.C., I believe you are wrong that the Sun-Sentinel broke that story. I believe Suncoast Searchlight posted their story at 3 p.m. May 5, a day earlier. Sun-Sentinel pubbed theirs May 6 at 8 p.m. Nothing against the Sun Sentinel, but give that upstart non-profit Florida newsroom some props! https://suncoastsearchlight.org/publix-change-open-carry-store-policy/
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/05/06/publix-stores-in-florida-appear-to-change-open-carry-firearm-policy/