Posted on 02/13/2010 4:27:55 AM PST by Solitar
In case you missed it ... A gun-control group has been circulating a petition demanding that Starbucks ban guns in its stores. Today, the Brady Campaign announced it has gathered more than 25,000 signatures.
"We urge Starbucks to respect the rights of the vast majority of its customers, who seek to take their families into its stores without facing the intimidating presence of openly carried guns," Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign, said in a statement.
This all started when word spread that advocates of openly carrying guns in public were meeting at Starbucks in and around California's Bay Area.
"We're just a bunch of citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights, which if you don't use them, you'll probably lose them," Open Carry advocate Gus Konstantaras told ABC News last month.
California Pizza Kitchen and Peet's Coffee and Tea have just banned guns in their restaurants. Starbucks has not. But it gave this statement to Melissa Allison at The Seattle Times:
For Starbucks, the safety of our customers and partners is our paramount concern. We have existing security protocols in place to handle situations related to safety in our stores. We will continue to adhere closely to local, state and federal laws and the counsel of law enforcement regarding this issue.
The Brady Campaign's petition reads:
I demand that Starbucks stand up for the safety of its customers and prohibit guns in your retail establishments. Guns don't belong in restaurants and coffee shops where children and families gather. You have the legal right to keep your coffee shops free from guns. The recent push among some gun owners to carry openly displayed guns, strapped to their hips, is intimidating and potentially dangerous. It puts families and law enforcement officers at risk. Reverse your unwise decision and keep our families safe.
Open Carry advocates laid out the group's case to the San Francisco Chronicle video link
[POLL results at this time]
Should Starbucks ban guns in its stores?
6.8%
Absolutely. They have no business being there.
87.8%
No. People should have the right to carry them
5.4%
Gun rights debates belong in courtrooms, not coffee shops
http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d10-Atlanta-area-Starbucks-locations-respect-the-right-to-bear-arms
I probably didn't do that right.
First off, if you listen to some of these people, the actual visibility of the gun is what makes them uncomfortable. They are "intimidated". Well, I'm afraid of some things too... like getting a shot. It's not the Doc's problem, it's mine.
It also bothers me that these folks are only allowed to carry open and UNLOADED. I mean, wth is that? Seriously, who Ok with this? Not only do I carry a 1911 with a full magazine, it is always chambered and cocked in the lock position as it should be. 25 years and it has never gone off by accident.. I've even dropped it a couple of times. Seems to be I'd rather have a club than an unloaded weapon on my hip. I see this as strictly self-preservation, My goal is to get away and survive. Others may believe they have an obligation to protect others, but that thought only comes to mind for me after I have removed myself and/or family from immediate risk. I know some of this sounds a little cowardly to a few, but I personally have a very narrow view of my responsibilities in a bad situation. I don't carry around this heavy freekin albatross for fun, I do it because I feel like I have to and it's nobody elses damn business what is under my coat.
Now, this is just my own personal perspective. I only carry open when I am hunting. I don't like attracting attention and I don't like answering questions. Also, I don't like the idea of a prospective bad guy being able to zero in on me for his first planned shot.
If my only option were to carry open and UNLOADED, I would be absolutely livid.
To me, this isn't about making a bunch of noise and it's not about flaunting my right to carry, It's about nothing more than our right to protect ourselves from those who wish to harm us.. and that, by the way, includes our very own government.
Sometimes I do wonder if the guys who arrange these open carry things do us more harm than good. Some of them take it way too far and it hurts our cause. I won't compare these guys at Starbucks to this maniac, but take the guy in TN ( http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=973597 ) for instance. Some of these things work against us when common sense should apply. We should be in the business of protecting our own rights rather than forcing other people to swallow it. There is a fine balance and generally speaking what works best is the "what they don't know won't hurt them" method.
Like it or not, the anti's lump us all together (this includes the media) and some of these guys do nothing but harm and it is used to promote the anti agenda.
Why would real Americans support this kind of business anyhow?
Starbucks responded, said they’re not getting into the issue. Legal carry is just that: legal.
No matter. The only thing I’m gonna get at Starbucks is free wifi in the parking lot.
Should Starbucks ban guns in its stores?
6.1% Absolutely. They have no business being there.
89.0% No. People should have the right to carry them
4.9% Gun rights debates belong in courtrooms, not coffee shops
Total Votes: 4489
“if we all do it on the first try!”
Sounds like a good incentive for the next pay raise. If your scores don’t go up your pay doesn’t go up.
Indeed. Of course you can always go through the drive-through. They can't stop you from packing if you're in your car.
Dat’s OK - bad (burnt) coffee and rediculous prices for same serve to keep me away from Starbuck’s.
That is great!
No argument from me on you excellent points.
Should Starbucks ban guns in its stores?
6.1% Absolutely. They have no business being there
89.1% No. People should have the right to carry them
4.8% Gun rights debates belong in courtrooms, not coffee shops
Total Votes: 4566
BTW, the poll was at about 3800 replies when I posted it here.
Now it is at...
Total Votes: 4600
6.0%
Absolutely. They have no business being there.
89.2%
No. People should have the right to carry them
4.8%
Gun rights debates belong in courtrooms, not coffee shops
Keep it up and we'll put it over 90%.
I have a lot of contempt for the Brady bunch. Meddling busy bodies who’ve done nothing productive for society.
Tell me, how long does the item on his helmet last until it's ripped or torn off?...lol
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