Starbucks

[Snake]

It seems that the CEO of Starbucks in order to avoid the 'gun debate' about 'open carry' made it Starbuck's policy to keep all guns out...like concealed carry. I think he 'f''d' up.....I won't go there again

[Trent]

Is this confirmed? This would be a very big flip-flop considering their open support of the second amendment.

[Trent]

Yep... confirmed.

[Trent]

The CEO is just "asking" that patrons disarm before entering their stores. They have not instituted a no gun "policy" at this time. They won't post "no guns" signs and they won't ask you to leave.

Seems as though it is an attempt to get the "moms against guns" lobbyists off their backs. The CEO merely is "asking" people to not carry in the stores.

Hmmmmm

[Merlin]

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

[Jerry G]

That's fine..................... I just won't go there. I try my best to stay away from gun-free zones. Even when I am not packing.

[Jim Beckley]

Not one to frequent places like that myself, just not a latte drinking kind of guy. You will have to enlighten me, how does a feller get himself to the counter does he prance or Shas shey?

[BCloninger]

Not one to frequent places like that myself, just not a latte drinking kind of guy. You will have to enlighten me, how does a feller get himself to the counter does he prance or Shas shey?

I think this is how Real Men do it - http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/pictur ... coffee.jpg

[High Speed]

A restful, peaceful place. Where no harm will come to thee. Be "well" fellow citizen.

[Snake]

I like their coffee....and even though I normally don't carry.....I'll go elsewhere for my coffee thank you.....what a numb Knutz approach.......

[Jason]

The policy before wasn't pro-gun. It was "we don't want to get into a political fight, so if it's allowed where the store is, it's allowed in the store." That was exactly what I'd expect and it was great. Those who wanted to concealed or open carry could do so. Unfortunately, thanks to way too many individuals and groups deciding to "prove a point" by showing up at Starbucks stores with AR15s and such strapped across their shoulders, Starbucks had to do something about all the other customers getting scared off by those on the pro-gun side who just wouldn't leave them out of the political debate. This change from Starbucks is absolutely of our own making because we didn't police our own well enough.

Several people showing up to a Starbucks in full battle dress carrying black rifles that we all know scare a lot of people is absolutely not the same as someone going about their day open or concealed carrying a handgun. Like most on this board, I'm about as pro gun as is possible but even I would wonder why some geniuses would need to actually get their rifles out of their vehicles and carry them around at Starbucks. Starbucks tried to stay out of it when the moms against guns group tried to pressure them to ban guns, as any business who wants to not hurt its customer base would do. The pro gun groups just wouldn't let it lie by showing up only with pro-gun shirts or open carry handguns. They had to push so far that it started hurting Starbucks customer base. I'm impressed that they didn't outright ban guns as a reaction.

I don't go to Starbucks often, but this decision definitely won't make me not way to go there. What would you do if you were running a company and business started to get hurt by a political fight that you didn't want your company to be in?

[dustinflint]

The policy before wasn't pro-gun. It was "we don't want to get into a political fight, so if it's allowed where the store is, it's allowed in the store." That was exactly what I'd expect and it was great. Those who wanted to concealed or open carry could do so. Unfortunately, thanks to way too many individuals and groups deciding to "prove a point" by showing up at Starbucks stores with AR15s and such strapped across their shoulders, Starbucks had to do something about all the other customers getting scared off by those on the pro-gun side who just wouldn't leave them out of the political debate. This change from Starbucks is absolutely of our own making because we didn't police our own well enough.

Several people showing up to a Starbucks in full battle dress carrying black rifles that we all know scare a lot of people is absolutely not the same as someone going about their day open or concealed carrying a handgun. Like most on this board, I'm about as pro gun as is possible but even I would wonder why some geniuses would need to actually get their rifles out of their vehicles and carry them around at Starbucks. Starbucks tried to stay out of it when the moms against guns group tried to pressure them to ban guns, as any business who wants to not hurt its customer base would do. The pro gun groups just wouldn't let it lie by showing up only with pro-gun shirts or open carry handguns. They had to push so far that it started hurting Starbucks customer base. I'm impressed that they didn't outright ban guns as a reaction.

I don't go to Starbucks often, but this decision definitely won't make me not way to go there. What would you do if you were running a company and business started to get hurt by a political fight that you didn't want your company to be in?

Well said Jason. I agree 100%. There are plenty of idiots on both sides of the gun debate.

Dustin

[BCloninger]

Someone always takes things too far and makes trouble for everyone. If anything, maybe we should consider this a plea for good manners?

[OldRanger]

Someone always takes things too far and makes trouble for everyone. If anything, maybe we should consider this a plea for good manners?

Not only good manners, but common sense as well.
I don't take this as a corporate anti-gun policy as much as I see it as a "leave me alone so I can make money" business decision.

[dustinflint]

Not only good manners, but common sense as well.
I don't take this as a corporate anti-gun policy as much as I see it as a "leave me alone so I can make money" business decision.

Yep. He can be pro-gun all he wants, but if his customers don't come into his shops he's not going to be able to afford to shoot very much!

Dustin