Starbucks Stores To Allow Customers to Carry Guns

Seems Starbucks is under fire with bullets of words from angry mothers since the coffee chain refuses to ban loaded guns from its shops in the 43 states across the U.S. that allow people to openly carry loaded guns.

Starbucks Stores to Allow Customers to Carry GunsI mean, where else can you get a triple shot, low-fat, no whip, extra hot, vanilla latte drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with powdered caramel brulee topping while carrying a loaded handgun, semi-automatic rifle and/or a shotgun?

But, Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, is not impressed and has already started a petition asking Starbucks to ban guns from its stores. Her reasoning? Well, because nobody needs to be armed to get a cup of coffee, and besides, why is Starbucks willing to take a stand on public health, banning smoking within 25 feet of any store, yet willing to overlook the banning of guns?

Good question, Shannon, especially since Starbucks bans guns from its corporate headquarters in Seattle…where carrying a loaded gun is perfectly legal.

Starbucks has responded with a statement that reads, “The political, policy and legal debates around these issues belong in the legislatures and courts, not in our stores.”

Funny Starbucks should say that though, since some of its stores have become a venue for pro-gun rallies, complete with gun-toting coffee drinkers and a documented, accidental shooting: A woman shot another customer when she dropped her purse that housed her loaded weapon causing it to discharge.

In response to all the hoopla, I Love Guns and Coffee, a pro-gun site, has started selling t-shirts, tank tops, stickers, coffee mugs, baseball caps, beanies, key chains, tire covers and even “the official challenge coin,” all of which are adorned with a Starbucks-like logo with a smiling, double gun-wielding mermaid. There are even reseller opportunities to which Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington and even Queensland, Australia are already offering these goods.

Geez, the things I wished I’d thought of.

So, readers, I’m locked and loaded with my grande, iced, decaf Americano, ready to talk guns, lattes, mochas and mothers, so hit me with your best shot!

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/30/opinion/watts-beck-guns-starbucks/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Cloud Adoption Gives Way to Hybrid Deployments

    Cloud adoption is growing at an astonishing rate, with Gartner forecasting that worldwide public cloud end-user spending will approach $600 billion by the end of this year—an increase of more than 21% over 2022. McKinsey believes that number could eclipse $1 trillion by the end of the decade, further underscoring the industry’s exponential growth. Read Now

  • AI on the Edge

    Discussions about the merits (or misgivings) around AI (artificial intelligence) are everywhere. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an article or product literature without mention of it in our industry. If you’re not using AI by now in some capacity, congratulations may be in order since most people are using it in some form daily even without realizing it. Read Now

  • Securing the Future

    In an increasingly turbulent world, chief security officers (CSOs) are facing a multitude of challenges that threaten the stability of businesses worldwide. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Security Entrances Move to Center Stage

    Most organizations want to show a friendly face to the public. In today’s world, however, the need to keep people safe and secure has become a prime directive when designing and building facilities of all kinds. Fortunately, there is no need to construct a fortress-like entry that provides that high level of security. Today’s secured entry solutions make it possible to create a welcoming, attractive look and feel at the entry without compromising security. It is for this reason that security entrances have moved to the mainstream. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3