If Connecticut’s U.S. Senators have a suggestion for residents when they go shopping it would be, take your coupons but leave the guns at home.
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy, along with U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Etsy, released a statement that they were calling on the Connecticut Food Association to implement a policy that would prevent CFA members from openly carrying in stores.
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In Connecticut, there is little differentiation for legally permitted gun owners to carry their handgun openly or to conceal it.
“There is simply no reason someone would need to bring their gun with them in order to purchase milk, bread, or other necessities at a grocery store. Customers should feel safe while shopping, and employees should not be fearful while doing their jobs,” wrote Murphy, Blumenthal, and Esty in a letter to CFA President Wayne Pesce.
Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli said he didn’t see much reason to openly carry a gun into a store, other than to make a statement and potentially cause a panic. As a gun collector himself, he respects the rights to legally possess a firearm but thinks owners need to consider their actions when openly carrying.
“There are some people who, when they see a gun, it just puts them into a panic,” Zeoli said. “This isn’t the wild west, we aren’t all Wyatt Earp.”
Several businesses have already released statements regarding open carry in their establishments, some in response to efforts by gun-control advocates Local Moms Demand Action. Chili’s, Target, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Chipotle and Whole Foods are all among those pledging to ban open carry in their establishments.
In the case of Whole Foods Market, both open and concealed carried are banned.
“Whole Foods Market does not allow concealed or openly carried firearms on its property, including in states where concealed or open carry of firearms is permitted by state law,” said Michael Sinatra, public relations and public affairs director for Whole Foods Market Northeast Region. “Only commissioned law enforcement officers or other authorized security personnel are permitted to have firearms on Company premises. While individuals in the company may have personal opinions regarding the 2nd Amendment, Whole Foods Market does not take a political position on this issue, nor is our policy intended to imply a lack of support for the 2nd Amendment.”
Those who like to shop at Trader Joe’s will find the chain prefers their customers not bring weapons but otherwise adheres to state laws.
“In general, at Trader Joe’s, the policies we create and follow are for ourselves and cover our own behavior. We have an explicit policy that prohibits our Crew Members (employees) from possessing firearms—or any other type of weapon—while performing job duties, while on company property, or while at company-related events. We do not presume to control our customers’ behavior through grocery store policy,” said Alison Mochizuki, director of public relations for Trader Joe’s.
She added, “We feel gun policy should be addressed by governmental and law enforcement agencies. 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. We acknowledge and respect the rights of everyone involved in this important, often emotionally charged, debate.”
Harry Garafalo, owner of the soon-to-built ShopRite on Bull Hill Lane referred inquiries to Shoprite’s public relations team who in turn relayed the question to the CFA.
An inquiry to Stop and Shop was not returned by press time.
Peter Ferraro of Ferraro’s Market in New Haven stated they preferred to leave things as they are and not implement a no open carry policy.
Stu Leonard’s in Norwalk, takes a stance more along the lines of Trader Joe’s. They also noted that in all of their years of business they’ve never had any incident of panic or other trouble at the popular grocery store with anyone openly carrying a legal firearm.
Rich Burgess, president of Connecticut Carry, has noted that the state does not dictate how someone must carry a legal handgun. He also said there is a dearth of consistency and training with law enforcement across the state on how to properly handle and approach complaints of open carry by frightened residents. He released a press statement noting a recent incident where a legally permitted gun owner was, in his words, harassed by Bridgeport officers after openly carrying a firearm into a Subway sandwich shop.
“The idea that we are still hearing about misinformed and malicious police and state agencies in Connecticut is an indictment against the entire anti-rights executive branch of Connecticut government that has a duty to train their employees. It cannot get any simpler or clearer: There is no law stipulating how you carry your handgun if you have a Pistol Permit. There is no lawful way for a police officer to demand your permit unless he has Reasonable Articulable Suspicion. Case closed,” Burgess said in a statement.
Sources say the state is looking into formalizing a open carry protocols for police departments across Connecticut to address these issues.
What would you do if you saw someone with openly carrying a firearm in a store? Tell us online at www.theorangetimes.com or email your comments to editor@theorangetimes.com.