H-E-B: No open carry in its stores

Grocery chain sites alcohol sales as reason

SAN ANTONIOH-E-B announced it will not allow shoppers to openly carry guns in its stores even when the new state law legalizing open carry goes into effect in January, a spokeswoman for the grocery store chain said.

Thursday, H-E-B's Facebook page began filling up with comments for and against the decision.

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Kelly Diane Walton wrote, "Thank you H-E-B for making a common sense decision about open carry in your stores. I will continue to shop at your stores and publicize this to all my friends who support gun sense in Texas!"

Jason Orsek posted a letter to one of the store's regional managers expressing his disappointment.

"By H-E-B taking this anti-gun, anti-rights, anti-constitution, anti- TEXAN position is sickening to say the least. Not only is it a un-fair stance, It is morally wrong and discriminating. Texans cherish our right to choose how we see fit to defend ourselves and our families. And in a society today where mass shootings and various other attacks are becoming more commonplace, Some of us choose to increase our defense...not be stripped of it," Orsek wrote.

That post drew a response from H-E-B, which explained, "due to our sale of alcohol, the state law prohibits unlicensed and unconcealed guns to be carried in our stores."

Forbes magazine reported Whole Foods and Randall's will not allow open carry in their stores.

The Texas law, which takes effect Jan. 1, does allow businesses to opt out if they post signage visible at the entrance stating openly carried guns are not permitted.