MINNEAPOLIS – Today, a top Target executive asked shoppers not to bring guns into his stores.
Facing what they called a “complex issue”, the Target leadership team has been wrestling with the conundrum of local gun laws, the rights of gun-owners, highly-publicized shootings, some people’s fear of guns and whether or not to allow shoppers to enter their stores with guns. On Wednesday, the decision was made public: Shoppers were asked not to bring guns into stores.
Via a company blog site, Target Interim CEO John Mulligan wrote “As you’ve likely seen in the media, there has been a debate about whether guests in communities that permit “open carry” should be allowed to bring firearms into Target stores. Our approach has always been to follow local laws, and of course, we will continue to do so. But starting today we will also respectfully request that guests not bring firearms to Target – even in communities where it is permitted by law.”
Mulligan said that the leadership team “listened carefully to the nuances of this debate and respect the protected rights of everyone involved” and that the company wants “to create an atmosphere that is safe and inviting for our guests and team members.
“This is a complicated issue,” Mulligan continued, “but it boils down to a simple belief: Bringing firearms to Target creates an environment that is at odds with the family-friendly shopping and work experience we strive to create.”
A major gun control group that pressured Target – Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America – praised the retailer’s announcement: “Exactly one month ago today, Moms Demand Action launched a campaign asking Target to stop allowing open carry around our children and families. This morning, Target announced that it heard our concerns and will no longer allow firearms inside stores. This huge change made by one of our country’s largest and leading retailers is proof that when women and mothers collectively use our voices and votes, we will change the culture of gun violence in America.”
“Moms are thankful that Target responded quickly to the call nearly 400,000 Americans and asked customers to keep their firearms at home,” said Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Moms everywhere were horrified to see images of people carrying loaded assault rifles down the same aisles where we shop for diapers and toys.”
Other companies that earlier asked customers to leave guns at home are Chipotle, Starbucks, Facebook, Jack in the Box, Sonic, and Chili’s.
America’s largest gun lobby, the National Rifle Association, has not immediately issued a statement on the Target announcement.
Georgia say,it’s A-Ok
A-OK to marry yer cousin too!
There’s a time and place for weapons, none of which involves Target stores. Perhaps Target is going to have to change their logo and name, as it might be confusing some of the neanderthals? It’s fine in my view to conceal your handgun as you shop; our State Law and Constitutional Amendment provides for this, but going around town with an open display of weaponry unnerves and frightens many people. Have some respect for the peaceful citizens out there who just want to go about their day.
The media portrays a person that carrys a weapon as a terrorist or a mass murderer. I remember as a kid I used to carry my 22 rifle all over the town that I lived in without freaking the entire town out.
@Philly-Damnit, I must agree with you again. Where I support our right to bear arms there is no reason that they can not conceal them when in public. To delibertly show your weapon is just showing off and intimidation which is un-necessary.
Jed says Target are just a bunch of dem der communists, they won’t let granny go shopping for viddles with her shotgun no more.
It’s funny to see all the people butt hurt about not being able to open carry a gun into a store.
I’m not butt hurt, I carry concealed only because I choose to so they can ban guns all they want, out of sight out of mind.
SO Nature boy: How many “PTSD ex-military on hard pharmaceuticals packing het in public” are/have been casuing trouble?
Ya, that all we need is more PTSD ex-military on hard pharmaceuticals packing het in public.
how many?
@SUCKS You do not understand, I do not carry a gun with me anymore for a couple of reasons. But, I respect other people’s right to bear arms an mine as well if I feel the need. So, I am not hurt personally over this, but if you do not stand up for your rights the whiney lefties will try to take it away. The country is being run and run down by a bunch of sissy, whimps.
Who are you replying to?
I am a liberal and damn proud of it. I have worked my entire life and and the fact that I care about all people makes me feel damn good.
I even care about pathetic, idiotic old guys in their 70’s.
I guess the fact that I spent most of 70 and part of 71 in a shit hole called Vietnam trying to stay alive makes me a sissy.
The scars I carry, must be “wimp badges”.
Sure as hell didn’t see your sorry chicken-hawk ass over there.
No need for Open Carry unless you have a little dick.
If you don’t think like LVS you aren’t human, didn’t you know?. He’s probably just a lonely old man.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Are you talking to me? I don’t see my name in this thread.
Be nice. They’re scared to be without their gun.
Just do a google image search for “assault rifles at target stores”. I don’t blame them and I will continue to shop there, who would want to go to WalMart anyways?
Remember the pic from a while back of some people at a park here in Mason City with Clint Eastwood revolvers strapped to their thigh?
Keep it concealed and its not a problem.
Its the same reason that I have to keep my penis in my pants. I have a right to own it but NO ONE WANTS TO SEE IT!!
Well I hate target anyway. They dont and wont support our military number one. Open carry is making you first person looked at by criminals to be shot. Besides what is a assault weapon? A bat and knife can be assault weapons. I have concealed carry for over twenty years.
It’s my view people should conceal carry anyway. Open carry is just too complicated to deal with. As long as you are legally concealed…shouldn’t be an issue. In fact you might just save a life if some nut enters the store and starts shooting. Lord forbid, but in this society? Ya never know.
Peter, there you go again and saying something that I totally agree with, is this going to be a habit?
Most of American society views police officers as the only ones legally able to carry a firearm, as they put their trust in the presumed checks and balances and oversight that accompanies a police officer. The thought of a private citizen wielding the same power of life or death as a police officer unnerves people, Target included. Of course many items can be used to cause injury but explosive ammunition commands respect and fear above most others. Takes getting used to.
@maybe-Damn, I have to agree with him too.
“Moms everywhere were horrified to see images of people carrying loaded assault rifles down the same aisles where we shop for diapers and toys.”
Really??? I’d like to see those pictures or even proof before I can believe that statement.
Isn’t Target owned by a French corporation?
Do you really need “proof” to believe that some young mother shopping for diapers would be freaked out by a gun nut open carrying a loaded assault rifle? The gun owners that open carry an assault rifle in the Target diaper aisle are the ones giving the rest of the gun owners in the country a bad image. If you’d like to see some of the pressure off of gun owners, get the lunatic fringe under control.
If someone is carrying an actual assault rifle, they are probably police or military.
@ left MC….Sure I’d like to see the “proof” if there is some. What’s wrong with that? I sure don’t believe everything I hear or read in the press do you?
….or on the internet.
Ditto.
how many times do I have to post this before it is actually posted? I said 3 times Out of sight, Out of mind
Looks like I won’t be shopping target anymore
If they ask you to leave and you do not, that is trespassing. You will leave or be arrested.
No one will win that lawsuit against target, smart guy.
Hey old man, there are many places where they say “no guns” that have not been sued. Government buildings, casinos, bars, restaurants. Go drink another beer on your porch, hillbilly.