The firearm debate continues in the USA, with very polarized opinions highlighting both the pros and the cons of our gun regulations. Uber now joins the discussion by quietly (or at least trying to be) updating their policy on the matter. From now on,  no driver or rider is allowed to carry around any kind of firearm while using the service.

Uber’s policy usued to be to follow local, state and federal law. The excerpt now reads as follows:

UBER FIREARMS PROHIBITION POLICY

We seek to ensure that everyone using the Uber digital platform—both driver-partners and riders—feels safe and comfortable using the service. During a ride arranged through the Uber platform, Uber and its affiliates therefore prohibit possessing firearms of any kind in a vehicle. Any rider or driver found to have violated this prohibition may lose access to the Uber platform.

Some of you will love this, which makes sense, but this new rule will definitely raise a long list of questions, comments and concerns from unhappy users. Some of you will think this is pretty unfair from a service that aims to be the best in-class transportation service the world has seen, yet now it can’t really serve a good amount of people.

It completely reasonable for a company to try and make its customers as comfortable as possible, but they do have to consider some of these patrons will feel very limited by this new regulation. People often have valid permits to carry weapons wherever they go, including off-duty cops and other government officials. Can they really not take a ride on an Uber vehicle while carrying?

Gun regulation often asks that general drivers carry their weapons unloaded and out of reach, as well. A popular tip is to unload it, lock it up in a box and put it in the trunk of your vehicle. Is this also not allowed in an Uber vehicle? What if someone wants to simply transport a weapon from the gun shop to their home?

Of course, businesses are allowed to make their own rules on this matter and Uber is in its full legal right to do this. Just as some popular retailers are allowed to let customers walk into their stores with a big gun on your waist. It’s just interesting to see how the debate on gun control and acceptance unfolds.

Uber is definitely not the only ones doing this, though. Lyft has had a strict no-gun policy from the start. We tried to reach out to 3 local San Diego taxi companies to try and further compare Uber to other transportation services, but none of them decided to comment on the matter. I was simply told to call on Monday so I could ask the manager, himself.

Makes sense, as I did identify myself as press and this is more than a political thing; it extends to morality and the company’s image. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself so I can dismiss the probability of them thinking I was some crazy guy up to no good.

But tell us, guys. Do you agree with Uber’s new policy? Do you think they should be a little more open about it? Also, do any of you have any experience with cab policy on guns?