OFCC announces major progress in fight to educate business owners

SIGNS COME DOWN in Southwest Ohio Kroger stores, Perkins Family Restaurants state-wide

Ohioans For Concealed carry is pleased to announce that two major national chains have begun removing discriminatory signs banning concealed handgun license-holders from their stores this week.

On Monday June 7, the Task Force received word that Perkins Family Restaurants had ordered all Ohio "No guns" signs to be removed. In a letter announcing the decision, Perkins Executive Vice President Marc Teaberry pointed out that Perkins has "numerous locations in Pennsylvania, which has always had a concealed weapon law, and have never had any problems." He stated that the company had been "given bad advice by our attorneys".

Also on Monday, OFCC began receiving reports that Kroger stores in the Cincinnati Division (which includes greater Dayton) had begun removing their discriminatory signs. Throughout the week, more reports have poured in about signs being removed throughout the area under the control of Bob Hodge, President of Kroger's Cincinnati Division.

It is not yet 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. Whatever the reasons, the move is a welcome one.

"It has been quite a week for OFCC's Business Education Task Force," said Coordinator Joe Eaton, "and for the countless grassroots volunteers across the state who have been working to educate business-owners about the facts surrounding concealed carry."

"Ohioans are already being forced to learn that businesses on the Do Not Patronize While Armed list are dangerous places to be," said Chad Baus, OFCC Spokesperson. "Already, customers and employees at ten retail stores and banks on the list have experienced violent criminal encounters. And that's just the ones we know about."

OFCC volunteers have achieved a great deal of success with helping business owners understand that the safest course of action is to remove their discriminatory signs and allow this law to work.

To date, 15 major chains and approximately 200 other business locations have removed their signs and opened their doors to Ohio Concealed Handgun License-holders.

UPDATE! Several national media outlets have picked up this story

The Do Not Patronize While Armed list has been improved, and is NOW AVAILABLE HERE!

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