Panera Bread is the latest chain to declare that its locations are gun-free zones.
Pressure from gun control advocates, like Michael Bloomberg-funded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, has played a factor in the decision by companies like Target and Starbucks to adopt gun guidelines for its patrons. Panera Bread felt this pressure as well.
A spokesperson for Moms Demand Action says that the group and Panera Bread management discussed a potential gun restriction months ago. But on Monday, September 8, Panera CEO Ronald Shaich announced that the company is asking customers to leave their guns at home.
“Within our company, we strive to create Panera Warmth. This warmth means bakery-cafes where customers and associates feel comfortable and welcome. To this end, we ask that guns not be brought into this environment unless carried by an authorized law enforcement officer. Panera respects the rights of gun owners, but asks our customers to help preserve the environment we are working to create for our guests and associates,” Panera’s management explained to msnbc.
Although previous discussions took place, Erika Soto Lamb, a spokesperson for Moms Demand Action, denies that Panera’s decision is a result of coercion. “There was no pressure campaign here,” she says. “That's what's so meaningful about it.”
The decision is largely ineffectual, however, as it seems to simply pay lip service to gun control advocates. According to New York Daily News, the company isn’t asking its employees to enforce the new policy, nor will it post signs in its restaurants. It’s simply asking patrons to not bring guns.
The restaurant chain reportedly has 1,800 locations across the United States and Canada. That’s 1,800 locations in which your guns aren’t welcome anymore. But you can still bring them if you want, apparently.
