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Starbucks caving in to Anti-Gun requests?

Melensdad

Jerk in a Hawaiian Shirt & SNOWCAT Moderator
Staff member
GOLD Site Supporter
Interesting letter as it tries to balance the anti-gunners and the pro-gunners, but it specifically says that weapons should not be part of the coffee experience and that they are not welcome in the stores. But then it says that employees should NOT enforce anything and that all customers are welcome. . . without their weapons.

Read and decide for yourself.

33mxvsy.jpg
 

JEV

Mr. Congeniality
GOLD Site Supporter
I have a concealed carry permit to protect myself with a CONCEALED weapon, and NOT to draw attention to myself. IMHO, those who open carry in populated areas are making themselves a target for a bad guy, or just plain playing cowboy because the law permits. I just don't think it's smart, but respect their right to do so. At least I know who will be fired upon first, which may give me an opportunity to escape or surprise an attacker while he is distracted by the open carry individual.
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
I have a concealed carry permit to protect myself with a CONCEALED weapon, and NOT to draw attention to myself. IMHO, those who open carry in populated areas are making themselves a target for a bad guy, or just plain playing cowboy because the law permits. I just don't think it's smart, but respect their right to do so. At least I know who will be fired upon first, which may give me an opportunity to escape or surprise an attacker while he is distracted by the open carry individual.

Agreed!

Furthermore, I firmly believe that those who open carry in very public or sensitive areas, such as around schools and public buildings, are excercising their Constitutional rights. But it is foolish to do so.
 
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tiredretired

The Old Salt
SUPER Site Supporter
Bah, never been to Starbucks. Spending 5 bucks or more for a coffee ain't my style. That's for people that make more money than me or people that waste more money than me. One or the other. Moral of the story, they won't have to worry about me when I CCW.
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
Well, I did go to Starbucks a few weeks back. In support of their pro gun stance of that time.

They got my five bucks, actually over twelve bucks because Cathy and I both went and bought scones also. Many progun folks did.

This is their thanks for support of a pro second amendment position that Starbucks has long maintained.

Somebody got to 'em. Too bad.

So, in excercising my support of another Amendment to the Constitution,,,,I say Phuck 'em.:hammer:
 

bczoom

Super Moderator
Staff member
GOLD Site Supporter
Let's see.

Anti-gunners are boycotting because they allow(ed) guns.

Pro-gunners are requested not to bring in weapons so now they'll think twice about going into their establishment.

Sitting on the fence like this seems like their wishy-washy position is hurting all and their business will suffer.

If I held stock in this company, I'd probably drop it.
 

Jim_S

Gone But Not Forgotten
GOLD Site Supporter
The comments at the link are an interesting read :whistling:

An Open Letter from Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Posted by Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer

Dear Fellow Americans,

Few topics in America generate a more polarized and emotional debate than guns. In recent months, Starbucks stores and our partners (employees) who work in our stores have been thrust unwillingly into the middle of this debate. That’s why I am writing today with a respectful request that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas.

From the beginning, our vision at Starbucks has been to create a “third place” between home and work where people can come together to enjoy the peace and pleasure of coffee and community. Our values have always centered on building community rather than dividing people, and our stores exist to give every customer a safe and comfortable respite from the concerns of daily life.
We appreciate that there is a highly sensitive balance of rights and responsibilities surrounding America’s gun laws, and we recognize the deep passion for and against the “open carry” laws adopted by many states. (In the United States, “open carry” is the term used for openly carrying a firearm in public.) For years we have listened carefully to input from our customers, partners, community leaders and voices on both sides of this complicated, highly charged issue.

Our company’s longstanding approach to “open carry” has been to follow local laws: we permit it in states where allowed and we prohibit it in states where these laws don’t exist. We have chosen this approach because we believe our store partners should not be put in the uncomfortable position of requiring customers to disarm or leave our stores. We believe that gun policy should be addressed by government and law enforcement—not by Starbucks and our store partners.

Recently, however, we’ve seen the “open carry” debate become increasingly uncivil and, in some cases, even threatening. Pro-gun activists have used our stores as a political stage for media events misleadingly called “Starbucks Appreciation Days” that disingenuously portray Starbucks as a champion of “open carry.” To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores. Some anti-gun activists have also played a role in ratcheting up the rhetoric and friction, including soliciting and confronting our customers and partners.

For these reasons, today we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas—even in states where “open carry” is permitted—unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel.

I would like to clarify two points. First, this is a request and not an outright 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. Second, we know we cannot satisfy everyone. For those who oppose “open carry,” we believe the legislative and policy-making process is the proper arena for this debate, not our stores.

For those who champion “open carry,” please respect that Starbucks stores are places where everyone should feel relaxed and comfortable. The presence of a weapon in our stores is unsettling and upsetting for many of our customers.

I am proud of our country and our heritage of civil discourse and debate. It is in this spirit that we make today’s request. Whatever your view, I encourage you to be responsible and respectful of each other as citizens and neighbors.

Sincerely,
Howard Schultz

http://www.starbucks.com/blog/an-ope...d-schultz/1268
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
Like I said Jim.

Phuck 'em!

Suddenly the Open Carry Saturday AKA Sttarbucks Appreciation days, to support of Starbucks was "misleading.":ermm:

Phuck 'em.

And, I want my $12 bucks back.:sad:
 

Dargo

Like a bad penny...
GOLD Site Supporter
I want to preface this by saying that I do not open carry. I feel rather strongly about my reasons to not do so, but that is not the point of this post. Since I have a Starbucks gift card with about enough for one medium (hell, I forgot what their word for "medium" is) drink I think I will open carry in my local Starbucks and see what happens. If they refuse to serve me, I'll go ahead and make a scene and pitch my gift card on the floor as I exit allowing everyone there know I will NEVER patronize their stores again.

So, what do you think will happen? Think anyone will say anything to me or do you think I'll get my drink without any comment?
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
I want to preface this by saying that I do not open carry. I feel rather strongly about my reasons to not do so, but that is not the point of this post. Since I have a Starbucks gift card with about enough for one medium (hell, I forgot what their word for "medium" is) drink I think I will open carry in my local Starbucks and see what happens. If they refuse to serve me, I'll go ahead and make a scene and pitch my gift card on the floor as I exit allowing everyone there know I will NEVER patronize their stores again.

So, what do you think will happen? Think anyone will say anything to me or do you think I'll get my drink without any comment?

Actually, I think , as justified as you may feel about such an action, that it is exactly the wrong approach. It is the "Open Carry" nutballs that prove the case for the anti gun crowd.
The second amendment was never meat to allow anyone to wear a weapon anywhere. And to do so, in the face of another person's opinioon, is just bullheaded foolishness.

Open carry laws are so you can put your shot gun in the car, or carry it to your neighbors's house without getting arrested by a phalance of disturbed cops and residents. Openly cayrryying a rifle into a store is not personal protection,,,it is personal boasting and inflamitory.

As a weapon of personal defense a rifle slung on your shoulder is rather useless in a crowd and frankly, you have already told the perp you are the most dangerous man in the room. Make a move and you are the first shot he makes.

CCW is much better for such defense. It would behoove Starbucks to just shut up and allow CCW asking Open carry people to be more respectful of their fellow patrons who don't need to see you are armed.

Unless, of course, that is important to you.

My pesonal dilemma with CCW and Open Carry is that one has to have a CCW in order to do legaly do the civilized thing in public. Which is not to alarm anyone that you are armed. But, it is illegal to hide the fact that you have a gun unless you have the CCW. Frankly, it's what is stupid.
 

Dargo

Like a bad penny...
GOLD Site Supporter
Actually, I think , as justified as you may feel about such an action, that it is exactly the wrong approach. It is the "Open Carry" nutballs that prove the case for the anti gun crowd.
The second amendment was never meat to allow anyone to wear a weapon anywhere. And to do so, in the face of another person's opinioon, is just bullheaded foolishness.

Open carry laws are so you can put your shot gun in the car, or carry it to your neighbors's house without getting arrested by a phalance of disturbed cops and residents. Openly cayrryying a rifle into a store is not personal protection,,,it is personal boasting and inflamitory.

As a weapon of personal defense a rifle slung on your shoulder is rather useless in a crowd and frankly, you have already told the perp you are the most dangerous man in the room. Make a move and you are the first shot he makes.

CCW is much better for such defense. It would behoove Starbucks to just shut up and allow CCW asking Open carry people to be more respectful of their fellow patrons who don't need to see you are armed.

Unless, of course, that is important to you.

My pesonal dilemma with CCW and Open Carry is that one has to have a CCW in order to do legaly do the civilized thing in public. Which is not to alarm anyone that you are armed. But, it is illegal to hide the fact that you have a gun unless you have the CCW. Frankly, it's what is stupid.

Well, as I mentioned to you before, IMHO it is foolish to open carry. Others strongly feel the opposite. Either way, I'm not posting for any debate on that topic; only how Starbucks would react seeing a customer carrying openly.

I sauntered in taking my dear sweet time during the so called morning rush time with (I know, ridiculous) my Desert Eagle .50AE, in bright stainless, weighing me down by about 8 pounds on one side. I couldn't walk naturally because my right arm would slam into the HUGE pistol as I walked.

I ordered a grande caramel frappuccino, which the barista mispronounced when confirming my order, promptly received my order, then slowly walked out with as much panasche I could muster, gaining the attention of nobody! Dammit man! Perhaps I should have taken off my 'cloak of invisibility' I was told I acquired the one, and only, time I played Dungeons and Dragons in college. So, I must report that the denouement was sans any perturbation. Oh well...
 
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