Lakeland-based Publix is the latest retailer to ask customers not to openly carry their guns into stores.
The supermarket chain released a statement Wednesday, reading "Publix respectfully requests that only law enforcement officials openly carry firearms in our stores."
Florida is not a traditional open carry state, but Publix also operates in several other states in the southeast.
The chain joins Walmart and Costco in asking shoppers not to openly carry firearms.
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