And they are giddy!
According to the CNBC article:
The request is simply we recognize everyone’s rights,” said Panera CEO Ron Shaich during a phone interview Monday. “But we also recognize that we are building communities in our cafes and are where people come to catch a breath.”
“We’re simply respectfully requesting that people leave their guns at home,” he added. “It’s that simple.”While the request is new, Panera plans to continue to follow state and local laws regarding firearm policy. The chain also won’t ask employees to enforce the new request or place signs about it in its restaurants.
“We’re certainly not going to put our associates in the position of confronting someone carrying a gun,” he said. “We won’t put our café management in the position of being law enforcement.”
So basically is one of those “moral support” stances that are designed to look good to a certain shrilly minority than actually be effective. Let’s face it: Shannon Watts knows well that in several states, not even the signs carry lawful weight much less a press release. In Florida, you can have a 2 feet by 3 feet sign announcing you don’t allowing guns in your place of business and they can be ignored by anybody legally carrying a concealed firearm.
PS: IMHO Panera is an overly expensive bakery with a crappy product, I get better bread at Publix. But Panera has WiFi and it is a hipster place because they are organic/PC/FOBS (Full of BS)
With all due respect, these “victories” are a PITA. Of course, then permit holders are expected to be “respectful” of the wishes of the company, even when they aren’t willing to back it up by posting according to local law.
I don’t believe I’ve ever set foot in a Panera, and don’t see me going there, but I sincerely wish some CEO would grow some balls and say if you don’t like it, change the law, we’re sticking with that.
Apologies in advance for the language if I’m stepping over the line of polite conversation.
That’s just plain cussing…we frown on the “overly” 🙂
They aren’t going to put up signs Or actually ban guns. How is that a victory? They sure have their sights set low.
Oh, lookie here! CNBC has a little poll on their page!
Why don’t we all click over and let them know what we think of this decision?
And it’s currently at 79% for the worse ;o)
[…] Another business tells Moms Demand Action they’ll issue a press release about a policy that they won’t enforce to get them to stop…. […]
Meh… I’ve eaten there occasionally… NO MORE…
I’ve eaten there. Underwhelming food. Easy choice for me.
Well the could also ‘ask’ me to wear a certain color of underwear too. But how will they know if I do or don’t? Concealed means simply that – whether it is a firearm (are they gonna ask the crooks to leave theirs at home – oh wait we might be able to do that colored underwear check the way a bunch of them wear their pants) or their underwear – and what about those who go ‘commando’???
Sorry Gomez …….
Thats the NEXT step………..NO COMMANDOS………….
Now some damn fool is going to hit(rob) Panera…………..wait for it……………………………………..
Customers rights? Where is it written that there is a RIGHT to not be around someone excersizing their legitimate rights? Policy is dangerous. Advertizing it to every potential Jared Loughner is beyond stupid.
Only 5 in South Carolina and the closest is over 70 miles from me. Never even heard of them before this nonsense. One in Wilmington, NC, but also too far away. BUT, if there WAS one near me, I wouldn’t go now.
The pro-2nd amendment people in the comments are cleaning up.
[…] Panera Bread has caved to Shannon Watts. I suspect they wanted to avoid the kind of Bloomberg funded ad campaign currently being waged against Kroger. Where would their movement be without rich assholes? It’s the same play, however. Panera doesn’t actually change it’s policy, but instead releases a statement saying guns are icky so Shannon Watts can fundraise off another “victory.” […]