Panera Bread

[czechsonofagun]

So I am sitting in Panera Bread Coffee shop - with free WiFi - browsing the internet and I decide to check gunbroker.com for status of an auction I am interested in.

Well, quess what - they block the URL because it is about weapons. I am annoyed - yes, I understand they give me free access (well what is free? it is paid by the money I spent here) but treat it like a pornography is a bit too much - IMHO.

Maybe - since I grew up in a country ruled by communists - I am just too sensitive about issue like this, but I will think about it next time I want to get a cup of coffee.

 

[randy41]

have you read about the recent lawsuits by the city of NY against Virginia pawnshops? NY criminals have found that Virginia pawnshops are an excellent source for guns.
but aside from that...a private business should surely have a right to do what they want within the law on their own premises...yes?

 

[MikePA]

Well, quess what - they block the URL because it is about weapons.

Odds are they use a product like Smartfilter, which allows blocking of various categories of sites, such as Weapons, Violence, Pornography, Shopping, etc. Here's the SmartFilter definition for what types of sites that are blocked if the Weapons category is selected.

Weapons (we)
This category includes URLs that provide information about buying, making, modifying, or using weapons such as guns, knives, swords, as well as ammunition or explosives. Weapons pages may highlight personal or military use.

As you can see, it's a fairly broad category. I'm sure they do not want to get into blocking/allowing specific web sites within a category, i.e., gun auctions sites are OK while explosive sites are not.

 

[TBrown]

I don't really have a problem with Panera blocking that site. I'm sure that if they didn't, some mother of four might happen to see someone browsing a few gun auctions and subsequently freak out on the management. They can't win.

Now I have a craving for a Frontega Chicken sandwich...

 

[czechsonofagun]

have you read about the recent lawsuits by the city of NY against Virginia pawnshops? NY criminals have found that Virginia pawnshops are an excellent source for guns.
but aside from that...a private business should surely have a right to do what they want within the law on their own premises...yes?

No question about it - and I certainly have the right to make my choice when buying coffee - and let people know about Panera's approach.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Odds are they use a product like Smartfilter, which allows blocking of various categories of sites, such as Weapons, Violence, Pornography, Shopping, etc. Here's the SmartFilter definition for what types of sites that are blocked if the Weapons category is selected.

Weapons (we)
This category includes URLs that provide information about buying, making, modifying, or using weapons such as guns, knives, swords, as well as ammunition or explosives. Weapons pages may highlight personal or military use.

As you can see, it's a fairly broad category. I'm sure they do not want to get into blocking/allowing specific web sites within a category, i.e., gun auctions sites are OK while explosive sites are not.

I tried to get to Sturm Ruger - and it works - but Colt and S&W is blocked.

 

[MikePA]

I'm sure that if they didn't, some mother of four might happen to see someone browsing a few gun auctions and subsequently freak out on the management.

I disagree. They probably looked at categories of sites and their definitions and decided which categories of sites should be blocked or allowed.

The fact that someone can get to SR and not Colt or S & W is probably a Smartfilter issue, i.e., when they set up the list of URLs, they knew about the more well known gun manufacturers.

 

[4sarge]

So I am sitting in Panera Bread Coffee shop - with free WiFi - browsing the INTERNET and I decide to check gunbroker.com for status of an auction I am interested in.

Well, ques what - they block the URL because it is about weapons. I am annoyed - yes, I understand they give me free access (well what is free? it is paid by the money I spent here) but treat it like a pornography is a bit too much - IMHO.

Maybe - since I grew up in a country ruled by communists - I am just too sensitive about issue like this, but I will think about it next time I want to get a cup of coffee.

Agreed - Poor thinking on their part. Censorship of a 2nd Amendment Right along with prohibiting the 1st Amendment

It is their business but my money. If this is a corporate policy I no longer will spend any of my money for their products and they can continue to block and censor their WiFi access

Thanks for the heads up

 

[Gatorboy]

Well, quess what - they block the URL because it is about weapons.

Big freakin' deal.

 

[randy41]

No question about it - and I certainly have the right to make my choice when buying coffee - and let people know about Panera's approach.

i couldn't agree more. have a good one.