Anti-gunners' caricature of Starbuck's non-discrimination policy as to customers legally carrying guns
Marie Antoinette's alleged answer of "let them eat cake" to the question of how to feed starving peasants during the French Revolution may have sped her journey to the guillotine. But that was most probably due to the fact that there was no cake to eat.
Starbucks on the other hand is open for business and serving gun carriers without discrimination, unlike some other commercial outfits like Peet's Coffee & Tea. Recently in California when hand gun carriers were told "no room at the Inn" by Pete's, they headed to Starbucks, causing anti-gun outfits to demand Starbucks' discriminate against lawful gun owners.
Starbucks' replies?
"Starbucks supports the federal, state and local laws of the communities in which we do business,"
&
In "shock," the Brady Campaign and other anti-gun rights propaganda organizations have pretty much flipped their sippy cups over the idea that a mainstream progressive commercial icon appears to be pro-gun - "more and more gun owners have been gathering at restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks with guns strapped to their hips, intimidating fellow patrons," chortled the Brady Camapign. Another anti-gun rights group screamed of a growing "open carry hangun cult threatening public safety."
These histrionic statements are reminiscent of that scene in the 1942 movie Casablanca where Vichy French Captain Renault walks into Rick's American Café and announces "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"
Here's a hint as to what's really going on: that corporation called Starbucks is just a little piece of paper in some state secretary of state's file drawer full of incorporation filings.. And that corporation's managers have a legal duty to both (1) maximize profits for their shareholders and (2) meet employee payroll every week - so its no surprise that they do business with all lawful and peaceful paying comers. Most other American corporations will do as well, just ask Best Buy, Inc., the computer retailer giant:
"Best Buy does . . . not restrict our customers who are legally entitled to carry a firearm."
The National Rifle Association has already struck back with today's email alert to its millions of members entitled Maybe Brady Campaign Should Switch To Decaf urging NRA memebrs to thank Starbucks by email at this link.
And the Seattle Weekly blogged today that pro-gun policies like Starbucks' arise from marketplace realities of the "the growing popularity of the Open Carry movement. It is legal in 43 states, including Washington, for gun owners to carry a handgun without having to conceal it." Which goes to show you, money talks.
So if you are a gun owner, the next time you need a cup a joe, drink at Starbucks. And its OK if you are not open carrying a holstered handgun, but do try to wear some pro-gun paraphernalia like an NRA hat or a "Guns Save Lives" button. And as you sidle up to the cash register to get that latte, just look that barista in the eye and nicely say: "Thanks . . . and thanks for supporting the Second Amendment too."
The wink is optional ;)
Update March 6, 2010: Starbucks lauded for best business practice on customer gun carry
Comments
good for starbucks; i will continue to patronize you!
to wire_paladin...
hey, that's the Presidents job
excellent! I'll take the entire crew to Starbuck's tomorrow. No more Pete's for SFFD.
Thanks Mike for your well written piece. Handgun Control Incorporated, (AKA The Brady Center) is spinning out of control with the help of individuals like yourself. HCI attached their future to a President who lacks a moral and Constitutional foundation regardless of his 'professor' status.
Starbucks will benefit from their decision to support freedome.
Thanks Mike for your well written piece. Handgun Control Incorporated, (AKA The Brady Center) is spinning out of control with the help of individuals like yourself. HCI attached their future to a President who lacks a moral and Constitutional foundation regardless of his 'professor' status.
Starbucks will benefit from their decision to support freedome.
tonelar415, you should still stop by Peet's with the whole crew and march in there 10 strong or whatever to tell them (and the other customers) why they won't be getting your business today. THEN go to Starbucks.
Well it's good to know I can go into Starbucks and order a Vente Caramel apple cider while I'm open carrying. I've never been to Peet's, and considering their policy, I probably never will.
I have been to both places and while I was not a fan of Starbuck's I tried Peet's coffee and now I love Starbuck's. The attitudes are getting much nicer at Starbuck's. I often have a knife on my belt and no one freaks out and no one pays any attention to it. A shop that services people who carry in the open are far less likely to be robbed or have their customers assaulted. It like trying to rob a bar full of cops. The leadership at Starbuck's are not stupid. A shop full of open carry customers is like having free security for both the customers and the employees. Also anyone who is comfortable enough to open carry is also more likely to come to someone's aid than an unarmed civilian.
Outstanding! Nothing like an American Company supporting freedom! Starbucks support of the Second Ammendment certainly reassures my business. I am going to stop by one tomorrow and get me a venti since it is too late to get a hot apple cider right now. Way to go Starbucks. Looks like they are going to have surprise earnings this quarter!
Sweet, another Corporation that isn't going to flush it's money down the toilet like the Propagandists who tried to drag them down. The Brady Campaign is on Life Support because of it's hate-speech and lies against guns and their owners. No reason for Starbucks to join them in their dismal, ignorant failure.
Let's all be clear on this...
It's not a 'pro-gun'olicy at Starbuck's, it's merely the absence of an 'anti-gun' policy...
I normally dont patronize starbucks, but I think I might start now. Good for them and I hope it drives the anti-gun nuts crazy!
What is the purpose of carrying a gun into a coffee shop. People are getting crazy, it must be open season.
I love Starbucks (I don't drink the coffee though -- I'm LDS so I stick to drinking the best hot chocolate on earth) but I don't wear a gun there (as far as you know lOL). I'll keep going to Starbucks!
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