Of course Publix or Walmart can ask you to leave. The signs do not do that.
They request you do not open carry. So, when I go into Walmart, I untuck my shirt if it is tucked. Sometimes I have forgotten to do so.
No one has ever asked me to leave. When I see other open carriers, which is not common, I ask them if they have been confronted. As I recall none have said they have been asked to leave. The numbers are small, perhaps half a dozen. Still, it is an indication the policy is to politely ask people not to open carry, not a prohibition on open carry.
In effect, it gives the management a means to ask someone who is acting irresponsibly, to leave. They have always had the ability to do that, whether the sign was there or not.
I, as a private property owner, also ask you to not open carry when visiting my home.
Do you have a right to enter my home while open carrying despite my requests?
In effect, it gives the management a means to ask someone who is acting irresponsibly, to leave. They have always had the ability to do that, whether the sign was there or not.
Duh! As the owner of a private property, I don't need to give you a reason to tell you to leave regardless of whether there's a sign or not.
What part of 'trespassing' is so confusing?
In the case of Walmart & Publix, they are announcing that they, as the owners of the private property, will not tolerate open carry.
Either you respect private property rights, or you're a hard-core socialist who believes that everyone owns everything and you can do as you want.
Which is it?