Murphy, Blumenthal, Urge Target to Ban Loaded Firearms in Stores

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called on Target interim President and CEO, John J. Mulligan, to implement new policies that would prevent individuals from carrying firearms into the company's stores. Late last month, a loaded gun was found on top of a superhero Playskool toy box in the toy aisle of a South Carolina Target.

"As Target customers, we were very alarmed to learn that a loaded gun was left in one of the toy aisles in a South Carolina Target. Thankfully no one was injured by this handgun but it should serve as a wakeup call to Target and similar stores that more can and must be done to provide a safe and welcoming environment for customers. We hope that you will adopt a new corporate policy that prevents individuals from carrying firearms into your stores. This latest example shows that when policies are not in place to prohibit firearms in stores all children are at risk for doing something so innocent as reach for their favorite superhero toy. Obviously, this incident raises serious questions about the safety of customers, particularly children, at this specific Target store but also your company's commitment to the safety of all stores."

The Senators are urging Target to follow the customer-friendly approach other companies, such as Starbucks and Chipotle, have taken to prohibit firearms in their stores.

Source