Starbucks Stores To Allow Customers to Carry Guns
- By Ginger Hill
- Jul 31, 2013
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.
I 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.