From the sounds of it its not really new, just a "regression" to whatever box store type crap they were doing before. (although not likely back to the
covid retard period where certain gun shops werent even allowing people in the shop without appointments etc).
Out of all the covidiocy the plastic shields were mostly the least offensive*, with one notable exception, a diner I frequent took those f***ing things down
immediately (as soon as the BOH cretin allowed them to) because they actually interfered with the ability for staff to pour coffee and clean counters quickly etc. (the shield was
so low a coffee pot couldn't even fit underneath it. )
*To put this in context, I'm not suggesting that any of that crap, whether plastic shields, or maskurbation or any of that shit actually does anything, but a plastic shield is least
impact (to the customers) at least. If its enough to keep some .gov retards away then its a low impact thing. Of course its annoying for the staff as idiots probably touch them all the time and get fingerprint and skinflint grease marks all over the things, etc.