Newtown Action Alliance Lauds Subway Restaurants' Open Carry Ban

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Action Alliance is among several groups applauding the Subway restaurant chain for changing its policy to ban open carry inside its restaurants, even in states where open carry is permitted.

Subway's action follows multiple requests made to its CEO, John Chidsey, by gun control advocates in the wake of armed anti-lockdown protesters visiting a North Carolina Subway shop in May.

On May 18, Newtown Action Alliance, Guns Down America, and Daily Kos sent a letter signed by 153 families and survivors impacted by gun violence to Chidsey. This petition was signed by 43,167 Americans, according to the NAA, and Moms Rising also submitted a petition with 10,000 signatures. Last week, Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy followed up with this letter to Chidsey.

Po Murray, chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance stated: "We are grateful that Subway listened to the families and survivors directly impacted by gun violence, as well as Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, and concerned citizens from Connecticut and across the nation by changing its policy. In a nation plagued by the scourge of gun violence and lockdown drills, the mere sight of weapons in restaurants and other public venues is often triggering. Many Americans, including those of us from Sandy Hook who have been exposed to gun violence, suffer from PTSD."

Newtown Action Alliance is a Newtown-based, national grassroots organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

"Too often, we see businesses behaving without regard for the safety of their customers. It’s another reason Subway is a standout. I’m so proud of Subway for doing the right thing and working to keep their customers safe from the dangers of unnecessary guns in their restaurants," said Alyssa Milano, the cofounder of #NoRA and board advisor of Newtown Action Alliance, in a news release.

Newtown Action Alliance, Guns Down America, #NoRA, Orange Ribbons for GunSafety, Moms Rising, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, Raleigh-Apex NAACP all applauded Subway for banning open carry at its restaurants.

Fred Guttenberg, founder of Orange Ribbons for Gun Safety and board advisor of Newtown Action Alliance said: "Thank you Subway and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy. I lost my daughter because she was murdered in school. I learned the hard way gun violence does not announce itself ahead of time and can happen in unexpected places, including a quick service restaurant. The safety of your customers and employees is dependent upon important decisions like this. Thank you for taking this important first step to protecting those who work and those who eat in your restaurants."

Subway has joined other American businesses, including Walmart, Target, Starbucks, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Wegmans, that have established policies requesting their patrons leave their guns at home, according to Newtown Action Alliance.

Gloria Pan, gun control campaign director at MomsRising, said: "No matter what we look like, where we live, or where we come from, we want our loved ones to be safe and free from the threat of gun violence. And no one wants to feel scared as we begin to return to our favorite restaurants. Moms across America applaud Subway's prioritizing the comfort and safety of its workers and our families, who are Subway's customers, by banning open carry."

Gerald D. Givens Jr, president, Raleigh-Apex NAACP and board member of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, said: "After armed protesters patronized Subway in Raleigh on Saturday, May 9, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence and the Raleigh-Apex NAACP put out a call to gun violence prevention organizations for help to stop future recurrences. We were grateful when support grew quickly on the local, state and national levels. Subway joined with us to say safety comes first. This moment is a testament to the power of the people and businesses coming together to make a difference and being the change."

"American businesses feel the impact of our lax gun laws on a daily basis and have a responsibility to do whatever it takes to keep their employees and customers safe," said Igor Volsky, executive director of Guns Down America. "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 continue working with the company to help build safer communities with fewer guns."