A trio of veteran anti-gun Senate Democrats are now openly working in support of the relatively new Moms Demand Action (MDA), a group founded and funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The senators are demanding that the Kroger grocery store chain ban firearms from its stores, warning that “gun extremists” are taking advantage of the company’s lax policy, Ramsey Cox reported in The Hill.
“There is simply no reason why someone would need an AK-47 to purchase milk, bread, or other basic necessities at a grocery store,” the senators wrote.
The Trio—Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)— sent a letter to Kroger Co. CEO W. Rodney McMullen, asking him to implement storewide policies that would prevent individuals from openly carrying firearms into Kroger stores.
“We write today to urge you to adopt a policy that would prohibit the open carry of firearms in your stores,” the letter stated. “In doing so, Kroger would be sending an important message about your commitment to the safety of your employees and customers.”
The senators cited recent events, where Kroger customers have brought so-called assault rifles into stores while shopping.
“Gun extremists in several states have exploited the current Kroger policy by flaunting assault rifles as they shopped. These bizarre displays must be terrifying for Kroger employees and customers,” the senators wrote. “The current Kroger policy allows for these demonstrations.”
Major chains, such as Starbucks, Chipotle, Sonic, Chili’s, Panera Bread and Target have all recently issued statements requesting customers not to bring firearms into their stores, actions for which Moms Demand Action has claimed credit. However, none of these chains has actually banned guns from their facilities, as the MDA claims.
Kroger was targeted the MDA and the three anti-gun senators because it is the largest supermarket retailer in the United States.
