Target Under Pressure to Ban Guns in Stores

The same advocacy group that persuaded Chipotle, Chili’s and Sonic to prohibit firearms in their restaurants is asking Target to institute a similar no-gun policy.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America on Wednesday launched a national petition calling on Target to prohibit the open carry of guns in response to demonstrations at the retail giant organized by Open Carry Texas. 

“Target, which boasts on its website that between 80% and 90% of its customers are women, has no restrictions on customers carrying guns in its stores,” the petition reads. 

A Target spokeswoman told USA Today that the retailer follows all state and federal laws regarding firearms but did not respond when asked if the store would establish a no-gun policy.

Last month, Sonic and Chili’s announced policies banning guns from their dining rooms after recent open carry demonstrations, also organized by Open Carry Texas, caused controversy among customers. 

Chipotle announced earlier in May, following similar demonstrations, that guns were not welcomed in their restaurants.