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."
who needs ya Starbucks, if all you want for customers is dipshit hippie types who think they are better than the rest of us and are totally dishonest, you took a big step toward that
Does this include cops? Most 7-11s and McDonalds give cops free coffee to encourage them to hang around and keep the criminal element out. Does Starbucks do this?
Even if all the gun rights supporters stop going it will probably have minimal effect on their bottom line. They must have gotten “THE phone call”.
Adios Starbucks.
I have your Gold Card; my business must not mean a lot to you.
I hope that Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz understands all he has done is establish 1400 more Free Kill Zones.
Note: Starbucks’ website has just gone down, at least for me.
To be honest I have never been in a Star Bucks and besides it would probably take me 30 minutes to figure out what kind of coffee I should buy.
Won’t be bringing my cash either.... Not that I ever did.
Too many of the Starbucks “Friends” demographic going wee-wee at the sight of evil “assault pistols”?
Don’t patronize them anyway, but why would you want to pay $6 for some swill served by a guy with sleeve tats and obongo ear rings?
Morning Joe an ultra lib shows main sponsor...Hummmm
I like Duncan Donuts coffee lots more than I do Starbucks..
Yeah, I’m not stopping going to Starbucks.
Carry concealed if you have a permit, if not, get one.
It’s worth noting that a recent poll (not sure where) rated McDonald’s coffee better in taste than Starbucks. Don’t know if I agree, but I will sure be shopping around now. Damned shame.
I’ll take my coffee black, and carry.
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