A concern is that an angry, unstable individual might grab another's gun.

Anonymous wrote:Florida allows open carry of guns, so Publix will allow open carry of guns while shopping. Nice to know and thanks Publix, something new to worry about.

Always frightening to see folks openly carrying firearms in public.

Afraid to interact with individuals carrying in public because it gives the impression of an attitude of "don't mess with me or I'll show you what I can do."

I’m never worried when I see someone open carrying. They’re more likely than not the responsible ones. It’s the ones I don’t see that worry me.

16:21 PP update- well, after not having gone into Publix since Oct, I ended up there yesterday after going to 3 other stores. None of those stores had the vegan items I needed to cook for today for my vegan son and DIL (looking at YOU, Sprouts). But, Publix did. So...

At least at my local Publix, no one I saw was open carrying and the average age of the shoppers was about 75 LOL. And they had the vegan items, plus several vegan options for the Pub Subs. Publix is the ONLY store in my area that allows open carry but also the only place to get certain items. It's...weird...

But yes, these are insane times, for sure...

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Florida. A lot of sane, non maga brands are having to come out with statements saying they welcome open carry people, because otherwise they were going to be torn a new one by the lunatic fringe on the interwebs. These are insane times.

Where I live in Florida, I am not aware of any chains that allow open carry and I've even seen 'no open carry' stickers on several small businesses I go to.

I live in Florida, occasionally shopped at Publix (hello Pub subs!), and have a concealed carry permit.

I'm horrified by Publix allowing open carry, for many reasons. For starters-I was trained that the LAST thing you want to do is draw your weapon and if you do, be prepared to use it. My instructor literally said he would be happy to go his whole life and never draw his weapon in public.

There is NO good reason to be open carrying at a grocery store. None. Also, Publix can get very crowded and I don't feel that a person would have full control of an open carry weapon. In other words-someone else could grab it.

I've chosen to no longer go there and go to one of the many other stores that do not allow open carry-which is all other chains, to my knowledge.

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Florida. A lot of sane, non maga brands are having to come out with statements saying they welcome open carry people, because otherwise they were going to be torn a new one by the lunatic fringe on the interwebs. These are insane times.

Publix is very MAGA. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2022/12/22/publix-heiress-julie-fancelli-offered-3-million-to-fund-jan-6-rally-house-documents-show/

My daughter is in college in Canada. Many of her friends parents do not allow them to come to the US at all. Too much gun violence to risk. Of course we live here and go about our lives.. You just go on and try not to think about it.

lol mafa us so dumb republicans are coming for their guns it will be in 2027

I not wrong dictators do not like subjects with guns

I’m in Florida. A lot of sane, non maga brands are having to come out with statements saying they welcome open carry people, because otherwise they were going to be torn a new one by the lunatic fringe on the interwebs. These are insane times.

Before this you had people carrying, you just didn't know it. Honestly there is not much difference. The other poster is right: do not antagonize people, walk away. If anything now if I see the gun, I know there is one so I can be more cautious about it and leave the space. As for Publix itself, it has not been a pleasure in a while because it's gotten so expensive.

You do understand that (1) firearms do not have some magical siren-song that drives previously calm people to unprovoked violence (despite the superstitions of some people and their fear of what their own internalized rage might lead them to do if they had access to a firearm); and (2) Florida has been “shall issue” since 1987 for concealed carry permits, without permittees falling prey to uncontrollable urges to murder their fellows without cause. I think open carry is dumb, but it really isn’t a significant change in a jurisdiction where anybody lawfully able to carry a firearm has been able to do for well over 35 years.

I live in the liberal bubble of Montgomery County but I taught my kids that a lot of people are carrying guns everywhere we go. Don't cut people off in traffic and, basically, never use your horn. I guess we need to add "don't bang other people's carts in the produce section."

It's the world we live in. Elections have consequences.

Florida allows open carry of guns, so Publix will allow open carry of guns while shopping. Nice to know and thanks Publix, something new to worry about.