Subway is now asking gun owners to stop carrying openly in their franchise locations.
“For the consideration and comfort of restaurant employees and guests, Subway respectfully requests that guests (other than authorized law enforcement) refrain from openly displaying firearms inside restaurants — even in states where ‘open carry’ is permitted,” the new policy reads.
The decision to do so comes a week after two Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to the CEO of Subway, Mr. John Chidsey.
“We write to urge you to prohibit the open carry of firearms in Subway restaurants in Connecticut and across the country,” wrote Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.
“In doing so, you would send a strong message regarding your commitment to the safety of your employees and customers—and all of the communities that Subway serves,” the senators from Connecticut continued.
Blumenthal and Murphy cited the recent spike in gun purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and armed (and peaceful) reopen protesters who patronized a Raleigh-based Subway in May as the impetus for taking action.
Here’s a video of the protesters published by The News & Observer:
“That North Carolina is an open-carry state is inapposite,” they argued. “No person should have to fear gun violence while visiting or working in Subway restaurants.”
SEE ALSO: World Traveler Reports on Wisconsin Open Carry and Walmart Request
With this policy update, Subway joins the ranks of other restaurants and businesses who have also caved to the demands of anti-gun politicians and advocacy groups in recent years. Those include Chipotle, Sonic, Chili’s, Target, Walmart, Panera Bread, Whole Foods, Starbucks, Aldi, CVS, and Walgreens.
One such group, known as Guns Down America, celebrated in an email blast to supporters and followers.
“Big news – our #SubwayMustAct campaign has succeeded! Subway has changed its policy to ban open carry of firearms at all their restaurants, even in states where open carry is still legal,” exclaimed Igor Volsky, the organization’s director.
“I’m proud that Subway listened to the thousands of Americans who called on it to ban open carry in its restaurants and look forward to continuing our work with the company to help build safer communities with fewer guns,” he added.
Subway is reputed to be one of the fastest-growing franchises in the world with over 41,512 locations in more than 100 countries.
Reluctantly, I have to agree with Don Shafter’s posts regarding a citizen’s right to carry (open or concealed) in a private business entity. The Constitution is, in effect, a contract between the government and its citizens, and does not typically apply to interactions between citizens. Those interactions are governed by statutory and case law, and something called Public Policy. So, while a business cannot discriminate against customers based upon race, religion, national origin, it can — if it wanted to, refuse service to bald customers.
It is best not to press non-existing “Constitutional Rights” against a business…just take your business elsewhere if you don’t like the business’ rules. Besides, there are a lot better places to eat than Subway. As a side note, if you ask “whose going to force me to leave Subway if I carry”, the answer might be law enforcement for violating trespass laws.
Please exercise your 2A rights, but understand when and where those rights apply. Despite what we all might want, 2A rights are not unimpeded. (Sort of like yelling “fire” in a crowded theater is an impeded right to free speech.)
They had already been losing my business. Not every location is terrible, but some aren’t that great. Their competition has been uping their game. NOW they lost by business for good. Just like Benchmade, Levi’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods etc.
Well i’m done with subway, lets run them out of business as they are clearly unamerican.
For the safety and comfort of the next mass murderer, innocent citizens must be disarmed and helpless.
Sincerely,
Richard Blumenthal Christopher S. Murphy
United States Senate United States Senate
Once again those dumb shits carrying rifles, shotguns, fake rocket launchers, etc have screwed it up for the rest of us. You’ll never portray a positive view of gun owners by parading around like Rambo wannabe’s.
Many other (and better) places to eat. Especially in NC. Barbecue anyone?
Just the type of letter that I would expect from a proven liar and perpetrator of Stolen Valor.
I usually eat at Subway, 2 or 3 times a week. It’s close, it’s fast, it’s ok. I only carry concealed, but will no longer be frequenting the establishment. The camel’s nose has gotten under the tent. It will not stop here.
Fake ass gross ass sandwiches
Added to the list of places I won’t go because they hate America.
Not saying this “coverage” is biased, but why didn’t it show the actual pic/video of the incident instead of a link?
Why only show the letter and an unrelated video?
Don’t know about you, but if I’m getting a sandwich, I don’t want someone around me with who looks like he’s training to be yosemite sam.
Never go there again Jersey Mikes or Firehouse subs are better anyway don’t forget their old spokes person is a convicted pedofile child molester!
Goes to show this CEO does not know that in different states have different laws concerning how this must be posted at the business the state that I LIVE IN IT MUST BE POSTED TO STATE NO OPEN CARRY AND IT MUST BE ON A CERTAIN KIND OF SIGN NOT HOME MADE
If anti-gun position was so “right”, how come the lines at the gun shops were so long during the pandemic? Most of these purchasers were Democrats!!!
I am no fan of open carry. I have a Texas CHL and never leave the house unarmed, but my Walther is not in any way visible to others. I do not want to be the victim of a robbery of my weapon, nor do I wish to call attention to myself should a dangerous situation evolve.
I can accept easily open carry of a back-up pistol when hunting dangerous game, but not in public.
Ralph Glorioso
Patron Life Member, NRA
Member, Gun Owners of America.
Iam do not support our politicians…..influencing….rather intimidating…business franchises with guidelines on how to run their businesses….. That is simply COMMUNISM /SOCIALISM !
That said…. I certainly do not support those thoughtless idiots walking into Subway in the manner that they did. They may be legally allowed to do it…..but they are sending the WRONG message in doing so.
Just like taking a “Knee” during the National Anthem…..sent the wrong message.
Being a more RESPONSIBLE supporter of our 2nd A. Means THINKING and knowing that our behavior will be influence what other people think of our 2nd A. We need EVERYONE to support the 2nd A. And behavior like this does not help our cause
Blumenthal and Murphy are on the anti-American watch list.
I’m a lifelong gun owner, member of a gun club, have a carry permit, and carry concealed 90% of the time when I’m out in public. That said, the collection of goofballs in the video coming into the Subway heavily armed would make me nervous. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.
Well said! No wonder these politicians try to make so many anti-gun laws. It’s assholes like this that put the fear in people. I would be nervous around this gang too.
I stopped going to subway years ago, because the people that owned the business where forcing the kids working their to come to work even when they were throwing up at work because they had the flu. Corporate is only worried about image and money and they could give a hoot about Antifa groups beating and now shooting people they hate. I doubt any of the people that the two democrats or communist members of the senate know that the people shot were done by people that where in the protest groups.
The truth doesn’t seem to be an issue with the Democrats as now they have shown their true colors in turning to communism and to finally make the constitution an irrelevant piece of toliet paper. I have known this for years, but now the leadership in the party have openly made statement describing that they want to outright destroy this constitutional government. It’s just to bad we have to many people in this country who believe a communist system would be better. However, the majority of the people in this country are responsible for what is happening by not holding the politicians on both sides for not supporting the constitution. Apparently, when they took their oath “to support and defend the constitution from foreign and domestic” it meant nothing. Worse the public is equally to blame for sticking their heads in the sand because they didn’t want to be bother or take the time to hold these politicians accountable. The young people are product of the bad education system, which Jimmy Carter created. You can study the trends in the decline from when he created The Department of Education. The country had one of the best education systems in the world until that point. When the schools failed to teach history you don’t have to wonder how illiterate these kids are saying that communism would be a better system. If Biden is elected he will be following the hate put out the five so supposed house members to dismantle our country, which will not be tolerated by many in this country.
I don’t open carry handguns anyway, it just doesn’t make sense to me to do so. To be honest, when I see someone carrying a handgun openly, in my mind, I see a target, a victim, or a gun theft waiting to happen.
It may be the cool thing to do but I can only see someone squatting down in a store, back turned, and some lowlife bashing them in the head to take the weapon…knock them out and score a nice gun.
I’m one of the most law abiding people you’ll ever encounter…but I’ve been around for many years (many!) some of the many things I’ve had to learn over these years is how lowlife’s think.
Open carry may be for you..just not my thing..
Different situations call for different modes of carry. Preference also plays a part. Weather is a key component here in PHX AZ. Summertime temps reach 112-118 with humidity reaching percentages of 20’s and 30’s during the height of Monsoons regularly. Wearing clothing designed and intended to conceal a hand gun in these circumstances is going to make a person stand out far more than just a standard holster on a belt. Sweat is a caustic substance which does untold damage to firearms even the Tupperware ones. Many 1911’s, Glocks over the years, and my current Sig all carry the mark of it. And for the most part, I’m an open carrier with a 1 1/4 inch leather belt and heavy duty brass buckle, and a duty style Bianchi Accumold holster on the right side. even with that style of holster I have to remove the safety on said Sig several times a week and clean it or it will be rusted in position. What happens when these guns are deeply concealed, often right up against bare skin, or underclothes even is not comfortable and not pretty = deciding “It’s just a quick run to the mail box, or convenience store. Maybe I’ll just leave the gun in the nighstand”. Which is ignorance at your peril of the first rule of personal protection. ” Stay strapped or get clapped” In winter months when it’s jacket weather I use a shoulder rig. If I need deep concealment for those rare situations where it’s inappropriate to have a visible firearm, or considered illegal, I use ankle carry. I have boot rigs that comfortably ride and for all intents and purposes completely conceal up to a officers model 1911. Being as old as I am, and thick around the middle, ankle carry represents considerable compromise regarding accessibility. I have to say to you personally, understanding the ins and outs of concealed carry, open carry, sling carry and any other modes of carry are one thing. Understanding how to implement your arms in a proficient ethical and legal manner are still another. But it’s all for naught if you lack understanding and keen observance of the utter life and death importance of situational awareness. It doesn’t matter concealed or otherwise, “Squatting down in a store” where people can sneak up behind you isn’t really an option. It never was and never will be. Regardless of how you choose to exercise your right to keep and bear arms.
So… the answer to this question may be different in various jurisdictions, but did they really BAN open carry in their establishments?
Much of this blatant pandering and virtue signaling has just resulted in statements from the CEO asking customers not to display firearms in the store. Most customers will never even know of it.
Consider Texas, where to actually ban open carry you must place a rather large sign at all entrances with some very specific language on it. Other places it may be easier, but I’m pretty sure a generic request letter from the CEO that will only ever be seen in news articles won’t cut it.
Of course they can ask you to leave if they are silly enough to bother with it. Still not the same thing as a company-wide ban.
Why would any self respecting person patronize one of these filthy places passing themselves off as a sandwich shop? Subway sucks! There are so many better small locally owned shops to patronize that offer a better product And are 2nd Amendment friendly!
Now I suppose only blacks can carry open. I carry my gun into Walmart openly and will until some stupid cop (in louisburg they are) arrests me. Then i’ll own him, louisburg, and most of north carolina. 2nd amendment violation.
Answer this question for me. Exactly how many times have you seen a black person openly carrying a firearm? On any given day whether at your local Walmart or otherwise. You see more white men open carrying than you will ever see blacks. So sorry, your “only blacks can open carry” comment could have been left out of the mix.
I live in PHX AZ. People of all races, colors and creeds carry openly here. I assume many more carry concealed. Mostly nobody looks at em twice. I all the time open carry in Wal-Marts and restaurants. I ride around on my motorcycle with a shotgun in a scabbard on the right fork leg. There are folks who seem to get a charge out of that. They ask if they can take pictures sometimes. Police don’t care. This is as it ought to be in a Republic with a Constitution and a 2nd Amendment guaranteeing a right to keep and bear arms. People need to take notice that most of these atrocities meted out by BLM and ANTIFA take place elsewhere. Here in AZ where our 2nd Amendment is strong, and not color coded these thugs know better.
Well I’m not sure if refusing to go there will hurt the business. Except as many people have said the small business owners.
I would think that writing the corporate HQs would have a better impact than boycotting. And I am not talking emails, those are to easy to hit the delete button. But an actual pen and paper letter. Write enough letters, and they might just reverse their decision.
I agree. I just printed mine out. It will probably generate a form letter reply – “it’s just a suggestion, we support the Second Amendment” – but so be it. Not sending a letter will gain nothing.
“Deeply disturbing surge in gun sales”??? What does that have to do with gun violence. Most armed citizens aren’t like the idiots out there being idiots. There will ALWAYS be idiots. There will never NOT be idiots. We CAN’T restrict our rights because of idiots. If we did that, we’d have to outlaw cars, motorcycles, trucks, alcohol, knives, razors, power tools etc etc etc. We’re a free country. We’d be screwing ourselves if we decided to restrict everything in the name of FALSE security. We gotta hold ourselves accountable. Properly punish who needs to be punished for their stupidity, be better parents, and teach our youth how to actually be responsible and not a bunch of entitled idiots with no regard for consequence. If we shined as much light on the good cases as we did the bad cases, there wouldn’t be any doubt that gun ownership is a good thing and that MOST people are responsible and NOT stupid. We can’t pass laws and restrict our rights because we’ve decided to ONLY pay attention to idiots. Make it idiot proof, and someone will make a better idiot!!!!!
Now type that out and send it to this guy: Mr. John Chidsey
CEO of Subway
325 Sub Way
Milford, Connecticut 06461
For all the constitutional scholars who comments on this article, let me clarify the application of 2A to citizens of the United States. Over the years, case law has clarified and, yes, limited some constitutional rights regarding ownership and use of firearms. For example, we do not have a constitutional right to own nor brandish fully automatic weapons. Hence, the government can enforce, either through the courts’ interpretation of 2A or through enforcement of consistent statutory law, limits on the rights and prerogatives of citizens with respect to firearms.
Further, the constitution enumerates limits on the government’s powers to impinge of citizens’ rights and prerogatives. Unless contrary to law or public policy, non-government entities, such as private businesses can set their own rules.
Now, you get it?
Now you get this: “shall not be infringed” applies to automatic weapons, too, case law be damned. You could just as easily (and incorrectly) draw up another “case law” scenario where semiautos would be banned. Now collect your Bloomberg check.
Nothing in any Supreme Court decision has as its holding that you aren’t allowed as a right to own or bear fully automatic weapons.
Case law from lower courts are irrelevant, in that many courts are openly and disgustingly ignoring the dictates of Heller. (See the dissents from the denial of cert in the recent gun cases).
And private businesses can set their own laws so long as its not discriminatory or offensive of a civil right. Can I refuse to decorate a cake for gay wedding?
And yes, I am a con law scholar.
Of course they have a right to set their own rules. And as consumers we need to tell Subway how they feel about their policy.
And if there were a couple more RBGs or Sotomayors on the court, the Second Amendment wouldn’t give us a right to anything, public or private, because some activist justices and judges really don’t give a sh!t what the Constitution says, professor.
The main point I was making is that unless you are a member of a so-called “protected class”, you have no inherent constitutional right to assert 2A (or any other constitutional protection) in a private business. Plain and simple.
So, if Subway wants to exclude open carry from their stores, they have a perfect right to do so. You have a right to fill your face at another store.
although I’m not a proponent of open carry, i support the 2nd amendment and people who choose to carry openly. I will no longer support subway, and suggest to everyone I know to do the same. We are on the verge of a very serious and scary turn in this great constitutional republic from which we may never recover. The slow erosion of our rights needs to stop amd we must resist these micro aggressions at all costs…
‘How many’ incidents have there been in which Subway customers exercising their 2A RIGHTS have made Subway employees feel ‘threatened or uncomfortable’?
Just enemy dems trying to whittle away with gun owners’ rights/comfort.
No problem Subway. I stopped eating your crappy food years ago. Good luck with the down sizing.
It’s all about the Constitution, the Marxist Democratic party would love to eliminate our most treasured document. Never cared much for Subway anyway, cold cuts, blah.
I don’t recall these “moms” protesting at all when Subway’s spokesman Jared was arrested for kiddie porn and molestation, or celebrating when the company severed ties with him. I’m not sure these people have their priorities strait.
Couple thoughts….
1) When you look up arrogance in the dictionary;
“a manifest feeling of personal superiority in rank, power, dignity, or estimation; the exalting of one’s own worth or importance to an undue degree; pride with contempt of others; presumption”;
you will find pictures of Blumenthal and Murphy. ON what planet do two Senators from Conn. think that it is OK to request that a private corporation institute a policy in “another state” contrary to the laws of that state?
I think we should be more afraid of people like these two yahoos than gun owners. They have shown us how they will abuse their power.
2) Boo on the CEO of Subway for not telling them to take a flying leap.
3) Subway really is not that good of a sandwich shop anyway. There are a ton of local places to get a good sub.
4) I don’t remember an outcry from these concerned politicians when Subway’s frontman turned out to be a pedophile.
Another word from the dictionary, boycott;
“To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, dealing with, or participating in as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion.”; from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
Molon Labe
This isn’t about being black or white it’s about the right to defend yourself and others around you from The Maniacs that don’t care about gun control
Their store, their rules. That being said, do you really want to piss off 80 million+ gun owners, because you caved to an anti-gunner?
This is not a gun ban. It’s just simply asking not to while still allowed to openly carry in their restaurants
“, it is their store. They can do what they want. First of all the point is “Subway” did not institute this policy because of a situation or problem with open carry people, they instituted it because two senators requested it and the CEO caved.
Second, if you carry, open or concealed, it is not a good idea to take off your weapon and leave it in the car to go into a store. Better to find another store.
No problem, I prefer to carry concealed. That said, if you don’t post a 30.07 sign on your front door in Texas you have to politely ask the person carrying to leave. With their money.
This does not mean I support their policy, they demonstrate moral cowardice by choosing to let themselves be ruled by the hormonal deficiency of others. Subway should be required to hire an armed guard for every location, at local PD union rates.
No one entity can stand in the way of my Constitutional Amendment Rights especially a commercial conglomerate looking to make a few dollars off dumb sheep.
Note: Gun free zones are targets for criminals with guns!
Don’t have to worry about me, I detest subway. Shameless plug here for Jersey Mike’s which is better!
Firehouse Sub much better as well.
Customers and staff frightened by an open carry ? They need some mental therapy.
Isn’t the crazy entering the store more of an issue??
Any crazy seeing an open carry is more than likely to move on.
It seems to me these childish excuses are the product of left wing agitators.
The people in power that want to limit our access to guns are NOT leftists, they are using those on the left to vote against gun ownership, so that they will have more control – they will be calling the shots and have control of the people that have guns.
Sadly, the left has embraced this, but the people pulling the strings(those that control corporations), are really running the show. Do you think Soros and Bloomberg want their holdings taken from them? No, they want a world where they have what they had and the power to take it from the so-called “upper middle class”.
Guess that means it’s OK to not serve blacks or allow them in store as well, either we have Constitutional rights or we do not.
If they are independently owned they can make independent choices. If my local shop spanks me for open carry I will then boycott that shop.
The FACT is in the article, it states Subway has listened to thousands of Americans, this is a LIE! They have only listened to 2 leftwing libturd Democrats to make their decision and in no way does 2 leftwing Dems speak for America or even their state.
The “snake”, Blumenthal, and the “Puppet”, Murphy , are at it again.
Typical of DimocRATS to intimidate businesses with their tax-payer funded franking privileges! The use of government stationery for political gains (yes, this intimidation is politically motivated) is a no-no! Had Republicans done something similar, it would be all over the media!
I open carry as much as possible, but responsible gun owners must use good judgement while “open carry” to avoid conflict by not “flaunting”…carry with good judgement, partial or total concealment, especially when requested by the business owners. I totally ignore “No weapons” by carrying concealed!
This is about as dumb a thing I’ve ever heard of. Don’t you think if someone was coming in to rob a store that that person seeing a open carry person might deter him from committing a crime ?
Subway is a private Company and they have the right to run their business as they see fit. On the other hand, my opinion of their Subs is such that they needn’t worry about me coming into the shops, armed or otherwise. Having eaten thousands of Sub Sandwiches over my lifetime, I can honesty say that for me, their Subs are the poorest excuse for that type of sandwich that I have ever eaten.
The letter says people were protesting with AT-4s. Who forgot to lock up the armory? I thouhgt it was a typo but no. Rocket launchers are apparently a valid fear for the gun control guys.
The letter stated that there was gun violence in and Near some Subway stores. If you read the source document, almost all of the deaths and injuries were outside of a Store. One was a car wreck outside the store because the two occupants were shot and killed while they were driving.
Had nothing to do with Subway.
Typical leftist Bullshit.
Because Subway has been a hotbed for open carry and customers “fearing for their lives?”🤣🤣🤣
2nd Amendment infringement for open carry legal and Constitutional carry states!
Sub(standard)way makes sub-like food objects which for most people pass as submarine sandwiches. I grew up near Philadelphia where they make REAL subs. As such, I don’t generally patronize Subway. Now I have another reason not to support them.
I hold a CCW so open carry isn’t my daily practice but that doesn’t matter in this instance since I don’t like ANY infringement on the 2nd Amendment.
Own a gun? Boycott Subway.
If all else fails and I’m forced to eat at a SubWay, I order a 12″ turkey sandwich, take the meat off one half and put it on the other, and I get an acceptable sandwich. Still, it has to be pretty dire for me to eat there. Their CEO is just another left-wing cuckold.
I cannot get hungry enough to eat at one of these dives. There are ALWAYS alternatives to supporting those who would destroy our Constitutional rights! I always support locally owned “mom & pop” shops over chains, especially those catering to Marxist doctrine!
Each store independently owned and operated. Do they seriously expect the small business owners and the minimum wage employees to enforce this nonsense? Or call the police to have an open carrier ejected when no crime has been committed? I’ve seen some pretty sketchy customers in various Subways, and while I prefer concealed carry, I understand those who carry openly. It’s legal where I live.
Easy don’t buy Subway their sandwiches are crap anyway.