A few weeks ago, I was waiting in the line for the pharmacy at the northside City Market in Durango when a man pushed past me (needlessly close since there was plenty of space). He seemed hurried and agitated – not the image of stability and mental health. When I noticed he was carrying a handgun and ammo on a thigh holster, I left.
Less than two and a half years ago, 10 people were shot and killed at the King Soopers in Boulder, where I used to shop, and several of my friends and their families still shop. In the intervening years, it seems like Kroeger (which owns City Market and King Soopers) has done nothing to protect its customers and workers’ safety. Instead, they make customers contend with armed men, just to buy groceries.
When I called City Market, a representative said their hands were tied by Colorado’s open carry laws. But as a private business, it can make its own rules that patrons have to follow. City Market needs to decide which customers they value – the men with guns or longtime customers who want a safe shopping experience.
There is nothing normal about carrying guns into grocery stores. When an armed man is in a store, he is a potential threat to the rest of us. I will not be shopping at City Market if I have to contend with armed men just to buy groceries. I encourage other shoppers to do the same.
Suzie Null
Durango
