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Popular Restaurant Chain Just Made Massive Announcement About All Of Its Locations That’s Angering Many
Continuing a trend Western Journalism has covered since at least 2014, yet another prominent U.S. business has issued a request that legally armed customers refrain from bringing firearms into its locations nationwide. According to Panera Bread CEO Ron Shaich, the decision is meant to create a place where its anti-gun customers will feel safe.
“The request is simply we recognize everyone’s rights, but we also recognize that we are building communities in our cafes and (we) are where people come to catch a breath,” he explained.
Beyond new signage explaining the policy, however, Shaich acknowledged that restaurant staff will not be in the business of disarming customers.
“We’re certainly not going to put our associates in the position of confronting someone carrying a gun,” the executive said. “We won’t put our cafe management in the position of being law enforcement.”
While Shaich suggested the new policy is rooted in “ensuring that Panera isn’t the battle ground for political statement,” it was the driving force behind a highly politicized anti-gun group who took some of the credit for the company’s decision.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America founder Shannon Watts released a statement following Shaich’s announcement. The group has been influential in prompting other businesses to implement similar policies.
“We are thrilled that after months of discussions between Panera and Moms Demand Action, Panera is taking a proactive position in favor of our families’ safety by putting a new gun policy in place,” Watts wrote. “Moms are the consumers-in-chief for our households and we will reward companies that take a stand for our families’ safety. We urge other national companies follow suit.”
Though anti-gun activists like Watts might reward Panera, plenty of other Americans were not shy in expressing their displeasure.
Well looks like no more panera bread for me https://t.co/GL7OjLPDkR
— Jason (@MisterFreedom) February 12, 2016
Source: http://www.westernjournalism.com/popular-restaurant-chain-just-made-massive-announcement-about-all-of-its-locations-thats-angering-many/
