Panera Bread asks customers to leave guns at home

NEW YORK (AP) - Panera is asking its customers to not bring guns into its bakery-cafes, unless they are an authorized law enforcement officer.<br /> <br /> Some gun-rights advocates have used restaurants and other retail sites to raise awareness of the legality of carrying guns in public.<br /> <br /> A number of retailers, however, have begun requesting publicly that their customers not bring guns inside, including Target Corp., Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., Starbucks Corp. and Jack in the Box Inc.<br /> <br /> Panera, based in St. Louis, said that it strives to create a place where customers and employees feel comfortable and welcome.<br /> <br /> "Panera respects the rights of gun owners, but asks our customers to help preserve the environment we are working to create for our guests and associates," it said in a news release issued Monday.<br /> <br /> Panera has more than 1,800 bakery-cafes in 45 states and Canada under the Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co. and Paradise Bakery & Cafe names.<br />

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/9/279306