Thoughts on Starbucks

Starbuck Guns & Coffee
Starbuck Guns & Coffee
Virginia Citizens Defense League
Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA –-(Ammoland.com)- The media has been flooded with stories about Starbucks changing their policy on guns.

Let’s first be clear – Starbucks is NOT banning guns and you will NOT be trespassing if you carry on their property.  Basically they are saying, “as a favor, please don’t carry guns on our property.  However, if you do, we are OK with it.”

This was a poor move on their part.  They should have just stood on the high ground and let things quiet down naturally.

Starbucks had made it clear several times that they didn’t want to be in the middle of the gun debate.  All they wanted to do was to sell coffee.

I completely understand that position.

BUT, the antis were determined to be rude and continue to try to put Starbucks right in the middle of the debate on guns with threatened boycotts (none of which had any impact at all).  And, sadly, some on our side decided they just had to also bring Starbucks into the middle of the debate by holding “Starbucks Appreciation Days” and flood their establishments with openly armed gun owners coming in groups.  In fact a Starbucks in Connecticut closed early to avoid a planned “Appreciation Day.”

What part of “We don’t want to be in the middle of the debate” was so hard to understand?

The problem is, of course, even though they are OK with us carrying on their property, they have asked us not to.  Gun owners are going to respect that request, and in turn, we will be going elsewhere for coffee (that was the part that was a bad move on Starbucks’s part by even asking such a thing).

Too bad the anti-freedom folks as well as some gun owners didn’t respect Starbucks’s first polite request, though.

I’m not sure that the book is fully closed on this issue.  If they get enough phone calls from disappointed gun owners, perhaps they will consider.

If you wish to contact Starbucks, here is some information about doing so.

From member Deborah Jane Anderson:

I just had a pleasant 25-minute phone conversation with a Starbucks customer service representative.  I wanted to express my disappointment with the letter that their CEO, Howard Schultz published, but since I also had some $$ remaining on two Starbucks cards, I wanted to find out how I can get my money refunded by mail — being that I won’t go into a Starbucks anymore, due to CEO Schultz’ request that I not bring my firearm to their establishments.

The good news is that Starbucks will refund all the remaining $$ on my Starbucks cards and will send the refund by mail.  

[PVC:  I tried this, but was told they don’t do refunds outside California.  I talked to a different person than Deborah, though.  He was very pleasant and very apologetic, emphasizing to me that it wasn’t a ban, just a request and they’d happily serve gun owners.  He really fought hard to try to keep me as a customer.]

If anyone else wishes to do likewise, or even if you just make a comment, the number to call is: 1-800-STARBUC (1-800-782-7282). Choose Option 2, and you’ll be connected with a live representative.

By the way, in the course of my phone call with the customer service rep (a gal named Dadin), I calmly and politely explained to her about my personal position that if my firearm isn’t welcomed at Starbucks, then I am not welcome there, either.  I emphasized to her that the concern for my personal safety was the #1 reason I wouldn’t be visiting Starbucks anymore, and that I always merely did at Starbucks what I do anywhere else when I carry my firearm, which is that I carry it for safety.  I further pointed out that I am sorely disappointed at the lack of Mr. Schultz’ understanding that openly welcoming those with firearms means having the presence of a “good guy” on the scene, should there ever be a “bad guy” who comes in where I (or other firearms carriers) are present.

In the process of explaining more about why “requesting” firearms not be brought to their stores likely will mean that many other gun owners also would cease doing business with Starbucks, our conversation effectively morphed into a mini-lesson for Dadin about the 2nd Amendment, the fact that “gun free zones” are the most dangerous places to be, the fact that more guns equals less crime, and much more.

Dadin listened to what I had to say during the course of that 25-minute conversation.  She interjected several times that Mr. Schultz’ letter didn’t say that we’re not “welcome,” just that we’re being requested not to bring our firearms — as well as that “open carry” was what was emphasized in the letter.

In turn, I pointed out to her that Mr. Schultz quite specifically stated in the opening paragraph his request that “…customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas.”  Thus, even though he went on to use the term “open carry” repeatedly, I emphasized that Mr. Schultz made NO distinction about “open” or “concealed” carry in his opening statement — he said “firearms”…period!  I also pointed out that he made no mention about “drive-thru” windows, but the fact still remains that Mr. Schultz conveyed the message that “firearms” aren’t welcomed at Starbucks anymore, without qualifying what kinds or methods of carry, and that to me, this means I’m not welcomed at Starbucks anymore with my firearm — and that makes Starbucks an UNsafe place for me to be.

I hope other gun owners will call Starbucks and explain their position, as well as ask for refunds for any remaining balances on their Starbucks’ cards.

Here is some local NoVA coverage.  EM Ed Levine and Mike Irvin are interviewed (with a brief cameo of Board member Bruce Jackson):

https://www.wjla.com/video/2013/09/starbucks-wont-ban-guns-but-says-theyre-no-longer-welcome.html

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

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Bill Butler

If you are going to assume the job of “sheepdog” your job is to protect the “sheep”, not scare them away. I think it is reasonable that we gun owners not flaunt “scary” guns in front of the yuppies and x-gen. types. they will be distracted from their I-pads/smartphones and actually have to talk to each other and they will talk about the “scary” folks carrying guns. I propose that if you carry concealed, carry concealed. If you can leave your piece off your hip or shoulder so others aren’t starteled, then everybody gets to purchase Starbucks and not feel… Read more »

Mike

Why do you ammoland sensor our comments? I’m done with you. I suggest others do the same.

Mike

Nobody need Starbucks and their pricey coffee. The CEO said he hates Christians, won’t support our troops, embraces homosexuality, and falters on the 2nd amendment! Wake up people! Do not support Starbucks! For any reason!

BigR

Who needs Starbucks? If CEO Howard Shultz is uncomfortable enough to bring it up, then he doesn’t need our business. My friends and I will drink our coffee and eat breakfast someplace where we are welcomed. Their overpriced anyway! My suggestion is they should just put a sign up, saying: “GUN FREE ZONE”. By the way, our coffee group has 16 gun owners in it and 12 of us carry our guns with us, but you know how we are, we don’t to make a big deal about anything, except for the 2nd amendment!

Becker

I need my gun for protection. I don’t need Starbucks. I can make my own coffee for just about nothing. Starbucks coffee is not going to protect me. Anyone who is stupid enough to spend this much on a cup of coffee is not playing with a full deck anyway.

Tom Morse

Look at it this way, they have covered both sides of the debate and you are still able to go into Starbucks with your gun. I think for them that was the best of both worlds.

Hardcase

I don’t see a problem with Starbucks’ position. From the start, they said that they didn’t want to be in the middle of a political fight, but since both pro and anti gun folks insisted, I think that it forced their hand.

As a company, Starbucks was never pro-gun nor are they now anti-gun. They’re pro-staying-in-business.

Suzanne

As a gun carrying CHL person, I carry everywhere not prohibited by law, corporate mandates be damned. State law trumps any corporate executive’s opinion or request. If you see me at the local Starbuck’s sucking on a mocha Frappuccino, look at that leather fannypack and understand I am armed.

Don Gibson

I will NOT buy another cup of Starbucks again. If they can’t take me and my gun then they don’t need my money!!!!!