Kroger makes it official: Ohio signs ordered down

An increasingly aggressive grassroots campaign, which culminated with customers mailing the Kroger Co. receipts showing thousands upon thousands of dollars in sales lost to competitors such as Super WalMart, Meijer and local mom-and-pop groceries (who do NOT post discriminatory signs), has met with resounding success.

OFCC announced last week that members and supporters from the Cincinnati-Dayton area (under the control of Bob Hodge, President of Kroger's Cincinnati Division) had begun to report that a large number of signs were being removed.

Customers who have contacted Kroger about their discriminatory signs barring concealed handgun license-holders are being notified that an official decision has been made to remove the signs.

Dear Mr. Smith

Thank you for contacting the Kroger Co.

After taking time to review and evaluate the Ohio Concealed Carry Law, Kroger has decided to remove the signs that had been posted.

Sincerely,

Ginger M Rawe
Consumer Response Representative
Ref # XXXXXXXX

As was stated in OFCC's June 9 press release, it is not known if this action is in any way related to the assault and robbery of a 70-year old Kroger customer outside a posted store on May 23, or to the kidnapping and aggravated robbery of a woman in a Toledo Kroger parking on June 1. Whatever the reasons, the move is a welcome one.

"We hope that Mr. Hodge's office gets word of the decision out to their stores quickly," said Business Education Task Force Coordinator Joe Eaton. "Just this week, on Wednesday, June 16, a security guard in a Dayton Kroger was assaulted by a robber as he fled the scene. Clearly, neither Kroger's signs, nor their guards, can ever guarantee the safety of their customers. Self-defense is a personal responsibility."

Collin Rink, the OFCC Team Leader who initially organized the campaign to educate Kroger, agreed.

"Kroger has been doing business in concealed carry states for many years. We have no idea why this one division president decided that what had been safe for millions of Kroger shoppers in the past was not safe for his Ohio stores, and we were horrified to see even the slightest evidence that the signs were seen as invitations to these criminals."

"We applaud the Kroger Co.'s decision, and look forward to seeing this law work to deter criminals across the state," added Rink. "From now on, criminals will not be able to contemplate victimizing a Kroger customer without wondering if their intended target, or a witness, might be armed."

Click here to thank this company for weighing the facts, considering their extensive good experience with CHL-holders in other states, and making the safest, most-responsible decision. Kroger's national customer service number is 800-576-4377 or 866-221-4141.

Click here for a complete list of retailers which have removed signs since April 8.