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Denver Post: Gun-control advocates protest Starbucks' policy of allowing firearms in its shops

centsi

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http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14911504

"Starbucks, best known for its coffee, is gaining kudos from gun-rights activists and drawing ire from gun- control advocates for allowing firearms in its shops.

On Sunday, about 20 protesters gathered outside the Starbucks at East 6th Avenue and Grant Street to urge a ban on guns inside the coffee shops.

"I used to hold a lot of meetings at Starbucks, but the idea that I might be at risk worries me. I will choose a gun-free place," said Mary Kershner, a registered nurse who advocates for gun control.

Colorado allows the "open carry" of firearms, but companies here still have the right to ban the practice on their properties.

Starbucks' policy to follow the local law — allowing guns where it is legal outside — is not new, but in recent months, gun-rights activists have raised attention by gathering for meetings at Starbucks across the country with their guns.

"It's not a Second Amendment issue; it's a public-safety issue," said Marilee Posavec, spokeswoman for the Denver Million Mom March, a local chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

"They don't allow it in their corporate offices; why should they in the stores?" she said.

A Starbucks spokeswoman, Stacey Krum, declined to comment Sunday.

Mike Woodring, a Denver resident, stopped to confront the protesters.

"These people are just trying to sell coffee and tea on a Sunday," he said. "They're not hurting anyone."

Woodring, who owns two shotguns and a rifle, said he supports the Second Amendment right to own and bear arms and thinks gun-control activists won't stop at banning firearms inside private stores.

California Pizza Kitchen and Peet's Coffee & Tea are two companies that have changed their rules to ban guns after problems with gun-rights activists gathering at their locations in California, Posavec said.

Starbucks has issued a statement saying its stores aren't the right place to decide the gun issue.

"We hope people will take the political, policy and legal debate around these issues to where it belongs: the legislatures and courts, not in our stores," the statement said.

Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser, said he isn't pleased with Starbucks' response.

"They're insulting my intelligence," said Mauser, who was among the protesters. "They keep saying they're complying with the law, but the law doesn't require them to comply. Starbucks has a choice."

Krum said Starbucks has safety protocols in place but declined to comment on what they are."
 

bomber

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i purposely only go to starbucks now, just because of their position on guns. i OC'ed at starbucks on saturday in aurora. just like every other time i have OC'ed in there, no one said anything, nobody seemed to care, and surprise surprise.....NO ONE DIED!
 

cscitney87

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bomber wrote:
i purposely only go to starbucks now, just because of their position on guns. i OC'ed at starbucks on saturday in aurora. just like every other time i have OC'ed in there, no one said anything, nobody seemed to care, and surprise surprise.....NO ONE DIED!
Every time Starbucks makes a sale.. I die a little inside ;)
 

bomber

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cscitney87 wrote:
bomber wrote:
i purposely only go to starbucks now, just because of their position on guns. i OC'ed at starbucks on saturday in aurora. just like every other time i have OC'ed in there, no one said anything, nobody seemed to care, and surprise surprise.....NO ONE DIED!
Every time Starbucks makes a sale.. I die a little inside ;)
i know, i want to hate them, but i cant resist. i really did like that little shop in belmar, by your pad. i cant remember the name. I oc'ed in there without any problem too. but i'm only in belmar once in awhile.
 

since9

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I'm not a fan of their coffee (way too acidic, American style), but I applaud their position not just on following state law (often cited by Wal Mart, but with a fault), but on also allowing their customers to fully exercise their state and federal constitutional rights.
 

bomber

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since9 wrote:
I'm not a fan of their coffee (way too acidic, American style), but I applaud their position not just on following state law (often cited by Wal Mart, but with a fault), but on also allowing their customers to fully exercise their state and federal constitutional rights.

their drip coffee sucks donkey nut. but i am hooked on the mocha frappicino. its so queer, i can hardly admit it.
 

zach

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bomber wrote:
i purposely only go to starbucks now, just because of their position on guns.
I don't think it's so much their position on guns, as it is their position on the laws inside the states in which they operate.



Oh, and I prefer the local shop here in Castle Rock. Never had an issue there yet.
 

ZackL

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I prefer to not support Starbucks when I have a choice as, from what I've heard from fairly reliable third party sources, they don't support our troops. In my opinion, even if you don't support the war, you should completely and totally support our troops as they are the backbone of America.

And after spending time in Seattle, I prefer Tully's coffee; I'm not sure on their stance about open carry though.
 

Superlite27

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California Pizza Kitchen and Peet's Coffee & Tea are two companies that have changed their rules to ban guns after problems with gun-rights activists gathering at their locations in California, Posavec said.

problems with gun-rights activists


I wonder if they would care to elaborate. What, exactly, were the "problems"?

Maybe they mean the folks holding signs and crying and yelling?

Aren't those the gun control advocates?

How does a person with an inanimate object on their hip and peacefullygoing about his business a "problem", yet a person screaming epithets and waving a sign at folks entering your business....NOT a problem?

Anyone want to call the Post and have them explain what they mean by "problems"?
 

ZackL

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Thanks for that, now I can drink Starbucks like a normal person. I think I'll go get some today.
 
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