Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 15 hours ago

REPORT: Did Publix just ban open carry in Florida stores?

Publix has updated its Florida store policy to discourage open carry, now requesting that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in its stores. This reverses the retailer's previous stance adopted last Sept.
After a Florida court ruling last Sept, the Lakeland-based grocery chain began allowing open carry, stating it was complying with federal, state, and local laws. This new update marks a departure from that position.
New signs at Publix locations, including in Miami Beach and Lakeland, state the company "kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores." The retailer's online chatbot confirms this updated guidance.
Spencer Myers, a state policy attorney with Giffords Law Center, said Publix maintains the right as a private business to ask armed customers to leave. He described the signs as a deterrent rather than a strict mandate.
While retailers like Target and Whole Foods maintain long-standing policies restricting firearms, Publix's shift aligns it closer to industry standards. The company has not provided details regarding the motive behind this policy update.

Insights by Ground AI

17 Articles

Publix changes open carry policy to only apply for law enforcement officers - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI (WSVN) - Publix appears to be changing their stance on allowing customers to open carry within their stores.New signage appearing outside of several Publix

15 hours ago·Miami, United States

Read Full Article

Sun-Sentinel

Reposted by

Orlando Sentinel

Center

Publix appears to change open-carry policy in Florida stores

Signs at Publix stores in Florida seem to indicate an open-carry policy change. They read: "Publix kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores."

17 hours ago·Deerfield Beach, United States

Read Full Article