On Trader Joe’s “gun ban”
So, moms demand something or another said Trader Joe’s banned guns at their stores. Turns out, they just banned open carry in Texas. Of course, they still want us to know they don’t like guns very much:
To be clear, we do not welcome weapons of any kind in our stores and never have. While there are laws in place allowing for openly carrying firearms, we would very much prefer that customers not bring guns into our stores.
February 17th, 2016 at 6:12 pm
“Except cops, because they’re better and different and their guns are magically safe and good, not like you peons.”
February 17th, 2016 at 6:13 pm
TJs is a California corporation owned by a German parent company.
What else would you expect?
I live in a midwestern state with both open (rare)and concealed (quite common) carry; my local Trader Joe’s does not have the usual “XXXXX bans guns on these premises” signs you see in the other grocery stores.
Which by the way, if you’re carrying concealed, they will never know.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:45 pm
I solemnly promise, while in TJ’s, to not use my weapon for the protection of other customers or staff. Just for myself. Y’all happy now?
Lex: you a fellow cheesehead?
February 17th, 2016 at 8:50 pm
OC’d at TJ’s frequently in GA and TN.
No one ever said a blessed thing.
So much for “never have”.
February 18th, 2016 at 1:20 am
I wonder what their Jihad policy is? I should call and applaud their stance on guns and then ask if one may practice open Jihadism there.
February 18th, 2016 at 9:32 am
@ Will:
But that never happens, you see. The reason they are asking people to leave their guns at home is to avoid all the shoot-outs over low prices or parking spaces or something, which obviously cause the streets to run red with blood in places that allow guns. So, the jihad thing doesn’t matter.
February 18th, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Here in Texas, if you have a CHL you may carry a handgun openly or concealed. This law was passed to stop malicious prosecutions of CHL holders, carrying concealed, for accidental exposure of their weapons or printing through their clothing (I’m looking at you, Houston!).
The effect has been what was intended – I have not seen one openly carried handgun since the law went into effect January 01. And I have seen only a handful of the new signs that are required to deny open carry in business places.
A few banks (not all), a few convenience/grocery stores (not all) and a few other places that already denied concealed carriers legal access with their guns now have the 30.07 signage at their entrances. And of those few, concealed carry was either not allowed before, or is still allowed now.
This whole law was a big nothing burger, and should be enjoyed as such. When CHL carry on state university campuses begins August 01, expect the same kerfuffle, and the same lack of anything happening.
February 18th, 2016 at 1:46 pm
“…we would very much prefer that customers not bring guns into our stores.”
I find irony here that customers are excluded from entering with guns, but robbers who are not customers are welcome.