Publix has found itself in deep controversy over its recent policy change allowing open carry in Florida stores. Customers and workers alike are deeply divided on this issue, with just as many people for it as there are against it.

This change comes after Florida declared laws against open carry unconstitutional, inviting citizens to carry a firearm on their hip. This has caused outrage among some people, with many saying they feel unsafe when around visible guns.

On the other hand, some shoppers comment that they feel much better when they can see the pistol, as it lets them know who to stay away from if they feel threatened. Others simply say that guns do not bother them.

From a Publix worker’s perspective, this change feels like a step in the wrong direction. I’ve encountered many passive-aggressive or just plain rude customers, and even some who have verbally abused me. These instances are customers being aggressive, but these situations change entirely if a gun is present and shown.

In any one of those situations, not only would I be scared for my safety, but I would also be cautious around them because it would affect my ability to think clearly. This would impede my ability to do work as well as my general well-being.

In one instance, a particularly rude customer was combative before he finished unloading his cart. When bringing the cart over to the bagging area, it got stuck on a rubber part of the register. He proceeded to ram it forward, almost running over my foot and hitting my hand slightly.

He then started belittling me and talking down to me. I simply brushed him off as rude and smiled at him, telling him to have a nice day when he left. However, if this same situation had happened, but he was openly carrying a gun, the situation would have escalated to a genuine threat.

When people have guns or weapons openly displayed, I feel that they are both more confident in themselves and prone to use said weapons. Every person who carries a gun openly turns themselves into a threat, whether they are actually a threat or not.

However passionate I feel about this issue, it is something that is happening whether I want it to or not. I have to learn to live with it and work around it. I only hope that my employment at Publix isn’t affected by this change, and eventually, it will be reverted back to how it was before.