Moms Demand Action: Thanks, Starbucks!

[Robb]

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched a campaign pressuring Starbucks to eliminate guns from its stores nationwide in early July. Just two months later, Starbucks is announcing that the company will no longer allow guns on its property, both inside and outside of its stores. Until now, Starbucks allowed patrons to bring loaded firearms inside stores in states where concealed and open carry is permitted. According to Starbucks’ new policy, which goes into effect today, “Everyone is welcome in our stores, but weapons are not.”

“This is a huge win for American moms who fought for this policy change, which will make Starbucks customers safer. Because Starbucks is a business icon, this policy change represents a sea change in American culture, which is finally shifting away from allowing guns in public places,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Much like smoking was once accepted on airplanes and drunk driving was abided without severe penalties, it is becoming passé for gun advocates – who may or may not have background checks, training or permits – to bring their weapons to public places. We thank and congratulate Starbucks for making this decision and for taking the safety of our children and families as seriously as mothers do.”

Starbucks’ new policy stops short of a ban, and Moms Demand Action will continue to pressure the company if there are additional instances of accidental shootings and open carry rallies inside stores. However, in his open letter to Americans, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz makes it clear that only law officers should have guns inside stores going forward: “…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.”

“Moms Demand Action believes Starbucks is just the first of many companies that will codify a “no guns allowed” policy, and our organization will lead the charge in ensuring American businesses and institutions respect and support gun safe environments,” said Watts. “Moms and women oversee nearly 80 percent of household spending, and Moms Demand Action is going to make sure they spend those dollars at businesses and institutions that respect and support the safety of our children and families.”

[CTyankee]

1. I guess I'll be visiting Starbucks more often in the future!

And anyway, who in their right mind wants to go have a cup of coffee in a place where they can get shot?

[SoutherDem]

4. Yes because those who shoot people follow the law

So Starbucks is a gun free zone. Hey, it has worked for schools.

[frylock]

5. derpa derp gun free zone derp

[CTyankee]

20. So you are in the "good guys with a gun" school of thought...Is that you Wayne?

Really, you are showing some slip...

[Hoyt]

2. Bravo for Starbucks. Some photos of gun toters celebrating at Starbucks.

[SoutherDem]

3. No more Starbucks for me.

It is CEO Howard Schultz's choice to restrict guns from his stores. It is my choice not to buy Starbucks. What about those businesses in which Starbucks has a cafe not owned by Starbucks like Barnes and Noble?
I respect the law, so if a business has a sign which says not guns I do one of two things, place the gun in my glove box and lock it or I go to another business. In Starbucks case I will go to another business, if all of the people who CCW or who simply support CCW goes to another business it may not have the outcome they wish.

Also, to compare this to smoking bans may not be a good comparison because if some one lights a cigarette in a restaurant it is known by everyone, if someone has a concealed weapon no one knows.

One last thing, “…today we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas...". Sounds like trying to appease the Moms while not saying goodbye to the money from those who CCW.

[frylock]

6. cool story, bro..

where else are you afraid to go without your gun?

[SoutherDem]

7. The question isn't where I am afraid to go

but why are they afraid of me?

[frylock]

8. no, the question stands..

why the need to carry. do you carry in the shower too?

[SoutherDem]

10. Hey you peeked.

Because there are criminals who rob and kill people everyday, I live in a safe neighborhood but we still have a few crimes, I work in some less than safe neighborhoods, being robbed is a possibility and/or being killed is a possibility. I have never had to pull my weapon and hope I never have a reason to do so, but if the need should occur why should I not have a way to defend myself?

Back to my question, Why are people (maybe you) afraid of people who do carry weapons? People who has followed all laws, had the background check, had training, obtained the CC permit and who regularly goes to a range to insure they can safely handle the weapon.

[frylock]

13. you mean like the navy yard shooter?

he also had a CC permit. why would I be afraid of someone like that? just law-abiding folk. salt of the earth.

[Squinch]

9. From what are you protecting yourself that you need the gun in Starbucks?

Personally, I don't find flavored coffee beverages to be so threatening that I require a weapon for protection.

[SoutherDem]

11. Businesses of all types get robbed.

Any place which handles money has a chance to be robbed at gun point, and at times they want no witnesses. It does happen, several years ago I had a friend who was murdered because he would have been a witness to a robbery.

Starbucks is not posting signs from what I hear, they are simply trying to appease all concerned parties. But, if Starbucks does post a sign I don't think the armed robber will obey the sign. Plus gun free zones are safe zones for criminals with guns because they know there is less of a chance a gun owner with a gun are on the property to stop them.

[Squinch]

12. Oh, dear lord. Gymboree toddler centers have money too. You need a gun there?

That's a fearful life you are leading.

And you must, by now, know that carrying a gun does not make you statistically safer.

That's just a dopey argument.

[SoutherDem]

14. Actually no I do not live a fearful life.

As to the Toddler Center, they too could be robbed, but I will follow the law, and not carry a gun into a gun free zone or stay away from the zone.

As to statistics ask someone who stopped a crime by carrying a gun about those statistics or ask my friend who was shot and killed for simply being at a business when it was being robbed, oh sorry he can't talk. Many if not most of those "statistics" take away those who don't follow some basic rules and they drop greatly.

You still haven't explained your fear for law abiding people with guns.

I will pass on replying to the "Dopey Argument" I try to stay away from insults.

[Squinch]

15. So I guess you better stay away from Gymborees because they don't allow guns and

you wouldn't want to be there without protection.

My fear of law abiding people with guns? George Zimmerman. And all those law abiding people just like him, who think their guns make a statement about them, and who are so convinced of the dangers all around them that they must protect themselves and/or stand their ground against all those delusions.

[SoutherDem]

16. Thanks for your answer

you are right I do evaluate any situation which guns are not allowed because if I were a criminal I would think "easy targets", but that is me, if it make you feel safer to be in a gun free zone, fine.

As to George Zimmerman, the only reason we even know that name is Al Sharpton and friends, otherwise we would have never heard of him or the case. What about the nameless people who have stopped crime with their guns who we don't hear about because they don't make the major news sources.

As to people who carry guns are delusional we feel the delusional ones are those who fear guns.

We both knew we would not change each other's mind nor that of any other reader. We should agree to disagree.

[Squinch]

17. So you're saying that Zimmerman's murder of Martin is essentially just something that was ginned

up by Al Sharpton, and that Travon Martin's death should by rights have simply been another statistic among the thousands of other victims of senseless gun violence?

Above and beyond your attitude about guns, that is disgusting and monstrously clueless.

Edited for spelling. All the little kids that I work with who are named Trayvon, and whose faces I see every time I hear about that murder, spell it with an "e"

[SoutherDem]

18. NO! And I think you knew what I meant.

Call me disgusting and monstrously clueless all you wish.

[Squinch]

19. "As to George Zimmerman, the only reason we even know that name is Al Sharpton and friends

otherwise we would have never heard of him or the case." - SoutherDem