Skip to content

Tell Starbucks: Offer espresso shots, not gunshots

February 9th, 2010, blog post by Megan Montplaisir

 Washington Ceasefire sent an email out last week to all its members on behalf of the Brady Campaign.  

"Over the past few months, more and more gun owners have been gathering at restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks with guns strapped to their hips, intimidating fellow patrons.1

Businesses can legally create policies to prohibit guns from being carried in their establishments -- and so far, Peet's Coffee & Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have heeded customer concerns and barred open carrying.

But Starbucks is refusing to prohibit the open carrying of firearms in its stores, despite protests from loyal customers.

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 at Starbucks.

It's everyone's right to be able to sit in a restaurant or coffee shop with their families without intimidation or fear of guns, either concealed or openly carried. Under the law, Starbucks has the right to adopt a gun-free policy, with an exception for uniformed police officers. Such a policy can easily be implemented in most cases by putting up signs at store entrances.

It is critical that we tell Starbucks to bar guns in its stores. These individuals who have been carrying guns into Starbucks have all the firepower of a SWAT team, and none of the law enforcement training.

Sign the petition and let Starbucks know that you want them to stand up for the safety of their customers and adopt a nationwide, gun-free policy in all Starbucks stores."

1 Open carry advocates test waters at Starbucks, ABC News, January 30, 2010.

Join Washington Ceasefire's mailing list to keep up to date on the latest gun legislation news & facts.