Is gun battle a no-win for Kroger?

[krispos42]

[div class=excerpt style=background:#AFEEEE]Kroger is caught in the crossfire of the latest debate over gun rights, a delicate position for the nation's largest supermarket chain.

On one end, gun control advocates are demanding the Cincinnati-based retailer ban customers from carrying firearms in stores – and urging a boycott until they comply.

On the other, hundreds of shoppers and pro-gun advocates have contacted Kroger urging the grocer not to give in.

"If you're a retailer, you can't win," said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of New York retail consultant Davidowitz & Associates. "No matter what decision you make, you make somebody angry."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2014/08/29/kroger-dodging-anti-gun-crossfire/14799891/

The obvious answer is that "it's not a no-win for Kroger".

All the signs in the world won't prevent the concealed carry of handguns into a Kroger's whether by law-abiding people with CCW permits or by career criminals that routinely and illegally carry. Unless Kroger is planning instituting airport-style security measures, any attempt to ban all guns in a store is a failure. It's the appearance of effectiveness.

But Kroger can simply ban openly-carried firearms in their stores while saying that they have no problem with people legally carrying concealed firearms.


My opinion, and I think that many would agree with me, is that open carry of firearms should restricted to a few select situations, such as hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, farm and ranch work; business that serve people performing those activities (e.g., a bait shop or rural gas station that serves farmers and ranchers; and conditions of civil disorder.

[NYC_SKP]

1. I'm with you, I prefer that people don't walk around with long guns, especially.

But believe it's a local matter, in the end.

Bloomberg et all go after large chains for publicity, but at least some of these are going to be in locations where it might not be such a surprise to see someone carrying.

The whole thing is juvenile, IMO.

Anyone out to cause carnage isn't going to follow a silly store policy created to appease a noisy minority on a crusade.

[blueridge3210]

2. I think the issue is that a nationwide or multi-national corporation

will be challenged to craft a hard and fast policy that will not conflict with local legislation. Therefore, the safest course is to have a store policy that complies with local legislation with a politely worded request to not open carry if there is a large outcry. This is what has occurred repeatedly with many businesses. (Starbucks, Target, Kroger) These businesses do not want to be caught in the midst of a "culture war" that does not mesh with their business model (Coffee, Clothing, Groceries). They just want to stay in business and make profit.

[NYC_SKP]

3. I think you're right, the question is moot (but media likes drama and tension).

The parent companies took a position without making a big stink. A sort of "whatever" response to the Moms group and a "aw, come on you guys" to the carriers.

[Duckhunter935]

4. I think you are right on track

This country is so big you can not do a one size fits all solution. It needs to be community based and open carry should be discouraged in my opinion. I have been in Arizona and now am in rural Oklahoma and open carry of properly holsters hand guns really is not an issue and nobody bats an eye when seeing it. It also makes since when it gets up to 105-115 as it becomes really difficult and uncomfortable for concealed carry. Sweat also is not real good for a firearm. Chicago would be quite different as with any other urban area. Long guns is a whole other thing and I think the fools that do that just make themselves look like idiots and bring backlash against us more reasonable individuals.

On another note, thank you for your work and providing your thoughts on the subject.

[Duckhunter935]

5. another shameless kick

since the other host seems to want to kick his own threads but refuses to comment on the Google cut and paste without comment thread

[blueridge3210]

6. More Kicking.

Just because.

[DonP]

7. I like Kroger's response

"Our long-standing policy on this issue is to follow state and local laws and to ask customers to be respectful of others while shopping," Kroger said in a statement. "We know that our customers are passionate on both sides of this issue, and we trust them to be responsible in our stores."

Now the "PR Moms" have demanded a boycott of Kroger stores from all 6 of their paid for members. That'll put a dent in their bottom line I bet.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

15. As Samuel Adams noted --

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

[DonP]

17. The "Mom's" brush fires seem to be made with wet wood

A little smoke, some hissing and spitting, then nothing.

I guess Astroturf doesn't burn well.

[jeepnstein]

8. I always carry my weapon...

when I'm shopping Krogers. It's not the store that's the problem, it's the parking lot. In my little town it's filled with heroin addicts looking for something to steal. They sleep in a nearby park and then loiter around the parking lot looking for anything or anyone who might be able to fund their next fix. The local police treat the whole situation as someone else's problem.

[japple]

10. What are you REALLY afraid of? Everyone who carries a weapon (open or concealed) is afraid

of something. Think someone's gonna steal your stuff?

[blueridge3210]

11. It appears that he has a legitimate concern

that the local drug addicts may see him as a revenue source to support their habit. Carrying a handgun to deter a forcible felony is an appropriate response.

I'll be sure to pass on to my LEO colleagues that they carry because they are all "afraid of something". They'll get a kick from that.

[DonP]

12. Do you believe if you just give them "your stuff" they'll leave you alone? N/T

[jeepnstein]

13. I'm not afraid of much.

My biggest concern is that the addiction turns people into something they would normally never be. When you are sick and in pain as many of them are at times because you're overdue for your next fix then some times things can spiral out of control. Or they're riding along on a wave with their drug of choice and their decision making is not quite the best. And as sympathetic as I am to their plight I cannot and will not put my safety or my family's future at risk. That's why I also carry a weapon when I'm down in the park dropping off food, because monsters are real and they look just like you and me.

Not all addicts are monsters but most monsters I've known are addicts of some type or another. I've met monsters at the store, walking along the street, one time even at church. For the most part they're pitiful creatures who are bothersome but not dangerous. Some of them know me not as a friend but as a Deputy Sheriff. Ever trigger someone's fight or flight instinct just by your mere presence? If I ever have the misfortune to come across one at just the wrong time it could get very ugly. And that ugliness is a fact of life some people would rather ignore and hope it doesn't happen to them. I wish it weren't so, but so far that wish has not come true. So that pistol I've got concealed isn't some kind of magic talisman intended to make all my troubles go away. It's just one of many options I have on hand for dealing with life's unexpected surprises.

[NYC_SKP]

14. Clowns, mostly.

To this day, I've never been into a McDonalds.

[blueridge3210]

16. Dentists. Carnies. The Dutch. (nt)

[japple]

18. True. Clowns really creep me out. Those big white carp in

pools and ponds really give me the willies, too. The koi are okay, though.

[NYC_SKP]

9. I like Kroger's response, as I read it. They have a Facebook page....

.

https://www.facebook.com/Kroger

Plenty of good reading there.