Posted on 09/18/2013 6:18:11 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie
Starbucks says guns are no longer welcome in its cafes, though it is stopping short of an outright ban on firearms.
The fine line that the retailer is walking to address the concerns of both gun rights and gun control advocates reflects how heated the issue has become, particularly in light of recent mass shootings.
Most states allow people to openly carry licensed guns in some way and many companies do not have policies banning firearms in their stores. But Starbucks has become a target for gun control advocates, in part because of its liberal-leaning corporate image. In turn, gun rights advocates have been galvanized by the company's decision to defer to local laws.
In an interview with The Associated Press, CEO Howard Schultz said the decision to ask customers to stop bringing guns into stores came as a result of the growing frequency of "Starbucks Appreciation Days" in recent months, in which gun rights advocates turn up at Starbucks cafes with firearms.
Last month, for example, the company closed down a store in Newtown, Conn., for the day after learning that gun rights advocates planned to hold a "Starbucks Appreciation Day" at the location. The store was near the school where a gunman killed 20 children and six women.
Schultz said the events mischaracterized the company's stance on the issue and the demonstrations "have made our customers uncomfortable."
Schultz hopes people will honor the request not to bring in guns but says the company will nevertheless serve those who do.
"We will not ask you to leave," he said.
The Seattle-based company plans to buy ad space in major national newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and USA Today on Thursday to run an open letter from Schultz explaining the decision to not implement a ban.
"Why? Because we want to give responsible gun owners the chance to respect our request - and also because enforcing a ban would potentially require our partners to confront armed customers, and that is not a role I am comfortable asking Starbucks partners to take on," Schultz says in a copy of the letter provided to CBS News.
The letter points to recent activities by both gun rights and gun control advocates at its stores, saying that it has been "thrust unwillingly" into the middle of the national debate over firearms.
As for the "Starbucks Appreciation Days" being staged by gun rights advocates, it stresses: "To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores."
But the letter notes that Starbucks is standing by its position that the matter should ultimately be left to lawmakers.
The AP was provided a picture of a memo to Starbucks employees on Tuesday. Partners are instructed not to confront customers or ask them to leave solely for carrying a weapon.
Several companies do not allow firearms in their stores, however, apparently with little trouble. Representatives for Peet's Coffee & Tea and Whole Foods, for example, said there haven't been any problems with enforcing their gun bans.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which was formed the day after the Newtown shooting, has been organizing "Skip Starbucks Saturdays" to urge the coffee company to ban guns at its stores. Participants take photos of themselves at competitors such as Peet's that do not allow guns and post them online.
Shannon Watts, founder of the gun reform group, noted that Starbucks has taken strong stances on other issues. Earlier this year, for example, the company banned smoking within 25 feet of its stores, wherever its leases allowed. The idea was to extend its no-smoking policy to the outdoor seating areas.
"There's a big difference in the connotation of someone holding a gun and someone holding a cigarette," Schultz said.
In the meantime, Starbucks has become a symbol for advocates of gun rights. A website now even sells products bearing an altered version of the Starbucks logo, with the siren holding up a gun in each hand with the words "I Love Guns & Coffee."
I agree that private corporations can make whatever rules they wish.
But Starbucks is deferring to one authority over another. I’m seriously asking what constitutes “authorized” law enforcement, by what authority, and whether that authority has any superiority in law to the Constitution itself.
I’m making the point that Starbucks is deferring to a lesser right of law enforcement than the greater right of the citizen.
Which I agree they are allowed to do, silly as it may be.
I buy their beans at the local grocery because we have NO Duncan Donuts in the Twin Cities.
Sorry, dude, but wrong. Most states do permit open carry.
ALL 50 states have some concealed carry permit law on the books, either Constitutional carry, shall issue, or may issue.
These 12 states permit open carry without requiring the citizen to apply for any permit or license:
Alaska, Arkansas, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, Kentucky, Virginia.
These 15 states permit open carry with restrictions: Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts.
27 states out of 50 is a majority. Hence, "most states permit open carry."
When a merchant goes OUT OF HIS WAY to insult someone like me, I try my best to avoid enriching that merchant. I’d been buying Starbucks ground coffee but will now find a substitute.
Carry concealed if you have a permit, if not, get one
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Question... In an “Open Carry” situation/state, is
“Concealed Carry” a legal option to be exercised or is CC not allowed in an OC legal division?
I take it that in a CC legally defined jurisdiction, OC is not an option that can be done. So, my question is in a OC jurisdiction, can one legally “Conceal Carry” as an alternative to OC?
Could Starbucks not say to the OC customers, “We welcome you to our store, but please CC so that the wimps won’t pee on themselves and our floor when they see an OC.”
I can appreciate that the law is probably different in all 57 states.
Does anybody here believe that? I'm not going somewhere that I know for sure is a "gun-free zone." Starbucks (who has crappy coffee anyway) just tagged themselves as such.
You hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, honest gun owners can’t really do much about this (other than to stop patronizing stores that go along with the liberal complainers).
I thought AK had Constitutional Carry? No permit required, like AZ and VT.
And (gasp) you are OFFENDED!
So the guns aren’t the problem. The customers are the problem.
Not safe to frequent Star Bucks..Duncan Donuts is my choice from now on.
Yes, AK doesn’t require a permit or course which I went through in 99.
As long as there’s no frisking, I’ll put my money on “rather judged by 12 than carried by 6” which I’ve done for over 40 years now.
Me? I cc my gun to my Starbucks every day, as usual. Buy a "medium size" (I won't play their language game) coffee in a large cup. Then go fill it up with the free milk and add free artificial sugar. A $4.65 latte for $1.25. Safe, comfortable and SECURE.
You nailed it brother. Thank you for your logical stance, I’m with you.
Take a deep breath people, relax...he’s not posting a gun ban.
No problem - I will bring not my guns to StarSucks or my money. I went in once, saw the price menu and left.
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