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
LOL!
Exactly where do people go to Starbucks with their intimidating sidearms hanging out??
Maybe we should all save the environment by NOT buying Starbucks coffee? Truth be told, here in Carroll County, Maryland the folks behind the counter at my local Starbucks are probably packing heaters.
Thanks
Should Starbucks ban guns in its stores?
6.5% Absolutely. They have no business being there.
88.3% No. People should have the right to carry them
5.2% Gun rights debates belong in courtrooms, not coffee shops
Total Votes: 4168
Starbucks is free to ban guns and you’re free to take your business elsewhere.
Starbucks robs you without a gun.
We’re free to tell Starbucks how many customers they may lose if they ban guns.
Good retort. I love those men who are not afraid to serve, what men! Hell with the prices I’ve seen in Starbucks, would I rather buy a gun or buy one of their grande’s.
You guys qualify once a year with 30 rounds?
I wished we had open carry here in Texas.
I’m just afraid a criminal may accuse me of entrapment for carrying concealed.
"Ban Guns at Starbucks, Thousands say no..."
In Texas, the signs are only enforcable if the get more than 50% of their sales from alcohol. A restaurant I frequent once did but kept their signs up. I still carry my CW when I eat there. Once they ask you to leave (if they see your weapon) you must leave or you are trespassing.
I would not open carry. Too easy for someone to snatch your weapon from behind. Happens to cops on occasion, killed by their own weapons.
Sorry, fixed now. The way your title reads, it suggests that the polling indicates that thousands say no guns at Starbucks. However, the poll says the opposite with thousands supporting the right to carry in the coffee cave...
The solution is simple, we should start our own petition and tell Starbucks that if they follow the suggestion of those “thousands” of anti-second amendment freaks, then all of us who support the second amendment will get our coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.
I agree, but as you should know, the business owner must comply with State laws by posting the paragraph 30.06 notice at each entrance.
A simple sign that says No Guns Allowed does not meet the State mandated guidelines and is non-binding.
Photo op pic? That weapon won’t fire.
Battle ready with an unloaded weapon.
You noticed that too? What the hell’s he doing without a mag in it?
I assumed it was just a photo op.
LOL!
Sadly, though, that’s probably not too far from the truth.
“You noticed that too? What the hell’s he doing without a mag in it?”
The picture was probably taken in California.
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