Ride-hailing app company Uber says it is banning its riders and drivers from carrying guns.
Uber Technologies says it is banning firearms of any kind during rides arranged through the Uber platform, and drivers or riders who violate the rule may lose access to the platform. The rules also apply to Uber's affiliates.
The company said Friday it changed its firearms policy on June 10 to make sure riders and drivers feel comfortable. In a statement, Uber said it made the change after reviewing feedback from both passengers and Uber drivers. Previously it had deferred to local law on the issue.
San Francisco-based Uber lets people summon cars through an app in more than 250 cities worldwide, and the privately held company is valued at around $40 billion. However, it's faced legal and regulatory challenges as it expands in the United States and abroad. It has also been criticized regarding the thoroughness of the background checks it does on drivers and other safety issues.
In Seattle, some were concerned drivers would not be allowed to have weapons for protection.
But we found people particularly concerned Uber drivers will not be allowed to have a weapon if they want to have one.
“You think you’re just going out to do your job,” said one woman. “But there really could be that one crazy person that is a danger.”
A little less than two years ago, Starbucks asked gun owners to stop carrying in its cafes. Anti-gun advocates like Jordan Miles see that move by the Seattle-based coffee giant and now Uber's ban as necessary, especially because of a lack of gun control legislation from lawmakers
“It’s disappointing when we have to cede the ability to keep us safe to corporations and businesses,” Miles said. “But I guess it’s a step in the right direction.”
In April, an Uber driver with a concealed-carry permit shot a 22-year-old man who had opened fire on a group of pedestrians in Chicago. Court records say the man was shooting at pedestrians walking in front of the Uber driver's vehicle, and the driver shot the gunman. The driver wasn't charged, as prosecutors said he acted in defense of himself and others.
Competitor Lyft also has a "no weapons" policy. According to Lyft's website, if a driver or rider is found to have a weapon in a Lyft vehicle they'll be barred from the platform regardless of local laws on weapons possession.