Hot Topic (2/15): Should Starbucks ban guns?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Guns at Starbucks? Thousands say no

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.

------------------------

What do you think? 

Should Starbucks ban guns?

Or do you have the right to openly carry a licensed gun anywhere?

[tericared]

I think if you have a permit and everything is all legal you should be allowed to carry any where you wish...No Government buildings of course but in the general public...Yes..

[sallymoon]

Gun bans only keep the law abiding citizens whom you don't have to worry about from carrying weapons.  It does nothing to stop the crazy SOBs who actually want to do others harm.  Gun bans also let criminals know that law abiding citizens will not be armed in that area.  Unless Starbucks had armed guards stationed on premises, I would feel less safe at their establishment if the enacted a firearms ban.

[2boys2love79]

Starbucks should be able to ban anything they want.  It's private property, is it not?   Gun carriers can take their business elsewhere.  If Starbucks starts losing business because they do not allow guns, then maybe that would cause them to rethink their policy. 

 

[rotPferd]

I kinda had to laugh. Families at starbucks? Hey honey, lets take the kids to starbucks and get them hyped up on sugar and caffine! lol

I agree with terica btw. 

[purestambition]

What's next banning dogs at starbucks?

[SEEKEROFSHELLS]

 Well this is a no win situation for Star Bucks. Damned if they ban the guns, which is legal, and your right or damned if they let them in the stores. Accidents happen and if one does they are going to be sued big time. So Star Bucks is put in the frypan on this one as ultimately the BUCK STOPS HERE!

[katy_kay]

They are a private business and they can make whatever rules they choose to so if this is what they want to do I support their right to do it. 

You might have the right to own a gun but that doesn't mean I have to let you in my business with it. 

[mommibee]

I know of many businesses that have guns to protect the employees and customers.  I think it is up to the business owner if they choose to have a gun.  And I also think that it depends on what kind of neighborhood any business is located.  If a business is in an area that has high crime, then I don't see a problem with protecting yourself.

This is a very controversial subject.  If the gun is locked up in a safe place and the employees have to go through a program for gun safety, I don't see a problem.  I know that if I worked at a business that had the possibility to get robbed I would want to be protected.  And I don't even like guns.  But when it comes to defending yourself in a life or death situation, I think that they can be a good thing.

Starbucks also is boycotting the war.  They refused to donate coffee for our troops and they said they wouldn't because they don't support violence.  Nothing like being a hypocrite.  I don't support any war, but that does NOT mean I don't support our troops that are risking their lives.  Thus I am now boycotting Starbucks.  Their coffee is overpriced anyway.  And I don't like how yuppie they have become.  JMO 

[mamadixon]

Quoting tericared:

I think if you have a permit and everything is all legal you should be allowed to carry any where you wish...No Government buildings of course but in the general public...Yes..

[stormcris]

I agree. Besides it only serves to harm people who abide by laws so the general person who would do something heinous would still carry them.

Quoting tericared:

I think if you have a permit and everything is all legal you should be allowed to carry any where you wish...No Government buildings of course but in the general public...Yes..