(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Brady Campaign is having a fit, trying to whip up a petition protest campaign against Starbucks to pressure the company into prohibiting open carry of firearms by non-"Only Ones" on its premises:
The practice of packing heat in places like Starbucks is intimidating and could be potentially dangerous to our families and communities – and it must be stopped.
Ah, here we go with "potential" again. Better lock us all in rubber rooms.
From ABC7 News, KGO-TV San Francisco:
Forget the accusation that citizens intent on claiming their rights are trying to be "superheroes"--that's just childish noise coming from people who have no other argument, and so rely on the tried and true Brady practice of insulting the character of those they hate as they desperately try to gin up fear.
Of note is the corporate reply:
Starbucks supports the federal, state and local laws in the communities in which we do business.
Hopefully, the lack of true grassroots support for their gun ban agenda will mean the Brady petition will be another one of their public relations flops, and Starbucks will see it doesn't hurt to be able to attract a clientele their competitor Peet's Coffee and Tea has publicly abandoned. It also might not hurt to send Starbucks a note of thanks for not caving in to "politically correct" pressure--you can do that here.
I suggest a brief message along the following lines:
Comments
done
Well, I have drunk my last cup of Peet's. Ban that.
I politely thanked Starbucks. I also informed Peet's (webmail@peets.com) of my boycott. For the record, my family boycotts any company or jurisdiction (NJ, NY, WI, IL, etc.) that does not fully support the Bill of Rights.
I'm not a coffee drinker but I did send them a note of thanks. Mostly because I have a weakness for doing anything that might have a remote chance of ticking off Ms. Brady.
And on that note:
"The practice of packing heat in places like Starbucks is intimidating and could be potentially dangerous to our families and communities – and it must be stopped."
I'm not sure when or how "heist", the german word for "hot", became a synonym for "steal". But it is and from that we have the usage of "hot" to describe stolen goods and "heater" to describe a gun used to steal said goods. Therefore, carrying a gun with the intent to steal became "packing heat". Since responsible, law abiding gun owners do not carry with the intent to commit larceny, they do not "pack heat". Ms. Brady and the "lame stream media" should leave that phrase with the old Jimmy Cagney and Edward G. Robinson gangster movies where it belongs.
Screw the Brady Campaign...CALIFORNIA has the some of the HIGHEST gun crime out there and they have made it LONG illegal to defend yourself...HMMM>>.
Starbucks is headquartered in Washington State. Where we’ve had licensed concealed carry for close to 50 years and one of the highest rates of permit holders in the country. Where open carry is legal just about everywhere — and always has been. Where I’ve never (as in ever) seen a “no guns allowed” sign on _any_ type of business. Where numerous alternatives to Starbucks abound.
I don’t think this will get much traction.
Brady Campaign says "It's everyone's right to sit in a restaurant or coffee shop with their families without intimidation or fear of guns, either concealed or openly carried."
No one has a "right" to sit in a restaurant. And even if they did and that right extended to the right to not feel intimidation and fear from a potential threat, then that right is equally extended to me to not feel fear for the potential threat to my life from some maniac.
Walking through the door of a privately owned business is a choice, not a right. Too many people in this nation are busy supporting "rights" which are no rights at all (the "right" to health care, or the "right" to sit in a room without guns), and trampling on real rights, which are fairly spelled out to anyone without a tin ear.
Have no fear. 60 years ago, people like the Brady Campaign were claiming that "It's everyone's right to sit at a lunch counter with their families (especially their attractive, white, maiden daughters) without intimidation caused by the presence of dusky ruffians." What was outrageous phobia and bigotry in Jim Crow days is still outrageous phobia and bigotry today.
I just filled out the Starbucks comment form. Except instead of putting my comment in the "Other" category, I chose "Corporate Social Responsibility." I urge others to do the same!
I tried their over-priced crap of coffee, once, in 2001, and that was it. Besides, don't fill the cup halfway up, and call it a large. Didja think I was born yesterday? Coffee snobs and people with nothing better to do.
Regardless, that "Guns and Coffee" logo on the Brady campaign website is awesome. Shoop out the "?"s and put in something else and it would be perfect.
I also put my 'thanks' under Corporate Social Responsibility. I have never purchased anything from Starbucks, but said that I'd thank them in a substantial way by visiting their local franchise. $$ speak louder than just words.
I would hope that a CCW person is nearby if an attempted rape occures. Would victim ask for help or be afraid that they get shot or would she want help????
Wow, people saying that the sight of a gun could disturb a child, Hogwash. None of these people let their kids see guns on TV or in the movies. Maybe the people that see someone carrying should use the chance to discuss gun safety. And the statement about asking for trouble by carrying, are you asking for trouble when you exercise your right to free speech or freedom of religion.
fyi DDS - "heist" is not the german word for "hot", nor any form of it.
re Starbucks - Done, under Corporate Responsibility.
As woman and American citizen I want to thank Starbucks for respecting my civil rights and not require that I make myself vulnerable to rapists & thugs by asking me to disarm to have a cup of coffee. Thank you for respecting the laws and constitution of Washington and the Constitution of the United States. The Brady Bunch could care less about what the vast majority of Americans want. Nation wide the Brady Bunch has a membership 180,000 certified spineless anti self defense fanatics. Nation wide there are over 80,000,000 law abiding gun owners. Starbucks DOES respect the rights of the vast majority of its customers. The "VAST MAJORITY" does not have the Brady Bunches irrational fear of guns. Legally armed citizen stop 2,500,000 violent crimes a year. That is why we carry guns. If you want to be a volunteer victim that is your choice. Stop trying to impose your cowardice on the rest of us. Stop trying to provide a defenseless unarmed victims to your murdering rapist allies.
Well, Blast me, I might have to support my local Starbucks in the UK.
I'm astonished at the lies and slander from the woman in the video "equally likely to put a bullet in you" Bah!
I commend Star bucks for standing up for my rights! I have been a patron of Star Bucks for a long time and will continue to be one.
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