RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Politics and Current Events Starbucks says guns unwelcome, though not banned

NEW YORK (AP) - Starbucks has always set itself apart by taking strong positions on progressive political issues. Now that reputation has landed the company in the middle of the heated national debate over gun laws.

On Thursday, the Seattle-based company will run full-page ads in major newspapers, telling customers that guns are no longer welcome in its cafes. But Starbucks is stopping short of an outright ban, exposing the fine line it needs to walk on a highly divisive issue.

"We are not pro-gun or anti-gun," CEO Howard Schultz said in an interview, noting that customers will still be served if they choose to a carry gun.

The move comes as the company finds itself at the center of a fight it didn't start. In recent months, gun control advocates have been pressuring Starbucks to ban firearms, while supporters of gun rights have celebrated the company's decision to defer to local laws. About a month ago, Starbucks shut down a store in Newtown, Conn., early to avoid a demonstration by gun rights advocates. They had planned to stage a "Starbucks Appreciation Day," bringing their firearms and turning the company into an unwitting supporter of gun rights.

Support for guns runs counter to the Starbucks image. The warm feeling Starbucks customers get when they're sipping lattes doesn't always come from the coffee. For some, part of the brand's attraction is the company's liberal-leaning support of issues such as gay marriage and environmental preservation.

But with more than $13 billion in annual revenue and about 7,000 company-owned stores across the country -in red states and blue - Starbucks is being forced to tread carefully with its special blend of politics and commerce.

Many states allow people to carry licensed guns in some way, but some businesses exercise their right to ban firearms. They can do so because their locations are considered private property. Starbucks isn't the only company that doesn't ban guns, but it has become a target for gun control advocates, in part because of its corporate image.

"This is a coffee company that has championed progressive issues," said Shannon Watts, founder of the gun reform group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. "They've positioned themselves about being about the human spirit - that was so at odds with this policy that allowed guns inside their stores."

Such stances explain why Moms Demand Action, which was founded the day after the mass shootings in Newtown, Conn., has been urging Starbucks to ban guns with its "Skip Starbucks Saturdays."

In turn, gun rights advocates have been galvanized by the company's decision to defer to local laws and staged the "Starbucks Appreciation Days."

Schultz said the events mischaracterized the company's stance on the issue and the demonstrations "have made our customers uncomfortable."

He said he hopes people will honor the request not to bring in guns but says the company will nevertheless serve those who do.

The Seattle-based company plans to buy ad space in major national newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and USA Today to run an open letter from Schultz explaining the decision. The letter points to recent activities by both gun rights and gun control advocates at its stores, saying that it has been "thrust unwillingly" into the middle of the national debate over firearms.

As for the "Starbucks Appreciation Days" being staged by gun rights advocates, it stresses: "To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores."

But the letter notes that Starbucks is standing by its position that the matter should ultimately be left to lawmakers. Schultz also said he doesn't want to put workers in the position of having to confront armed customers by banning guns. The AP was provided a picture of a memo to Starbucks employees on Tuesday. The document instructs workers not to confront customers or ask them to leave solely for carrying a weapon.

Phillip Hofmeister, president of gun rights group Michigan Open Carry Inc., said he respects the right of private businesses such as Starbucks to determine its own gun policies. But he noted that the message was confusing.

"They're trying to make people like myself feel unwelcome but it's not an outright ban," said Hofmeister, who said he has been carrying a gun in public where permitted for the past several years.

Even if there's no ban, Hofmeister said he won't patronize a business where he didn't feel welcome.

Several companies do not allow firearms in their stores, including Peet's Coffee & Tea and Whole Foods. Representatives for those two companies said there haven't been any problems with enforcing their gun bans.

The man has politley asked people to not bring a gun to his coffee shop,SO DON'T BRING A GUN INTO HIS SHOP! Why does this have to be such a big deal for some people?

It looks like you guys are the ones having the hissy fit over a company just asking people not to bring their guns into their place of business. I doubt most gun owners actually feel their right to own a gun includes being able to carry them into other people's private homes and companies.

Damn, I was going to rob a Starbucks. I guess if I can't bring my gun in I'll have to rob someplace else.

I prefer having a faster means of responding to assailants than verbal reassurance that police are on their way.

It looks like you guys are the ones having the hissy fit over a company just asking people not to bring their guns into their place of business. I doubt most gun owners actually feel their right to own a gun includes being able to carry them into other people's private homes and companies.

woman yells 'gun' in Bridgeport Village theater

TIGARD, Ore. – A woman who thought she heard the word “gun” in a Bridgeport Village theater shouted the word, causing a panic and businesses at the mall to go into lockdown Friday night, police said.

Police responded to the mall, but Tigard Police Department spokesman Jim Wolf said there was never a weapon.

A police officer at the scene said the woman, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, was watching the movie "Prisoners" when the incident happened.

The incident started when a man in his 70s urinated on a 14-year-old boy during the movie, sparking a confrontation between the boy's father and the man, police said. The woman, not aware of what was going on, then shouted "gun," setting off a panic inside the theater and causing moviegoers to flee.

"She was having an episode because of the movie and the emotion in the theater with the lights out," Lt. Erick Boothby said. "She seemed very confused and upset over the whole matter."

Boothby said the teen's father "took the older gentleman to the ground and held him there." That dust-up involved yelling and screaming, the spokesman said.

Most of the 100 patrons in one theater of the multiplex ran into the lobby and out the door after several people repeated the alarm, he said.

Businesses at the mall, including American Apparel, which is right next to the theater, went into lockdown.

Alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the man's decision to urinate on the boy, police said. No arrests were made.

Officers from other agencies were headed to the theater when it was determined to be a false alarm.

“This was a good dry run for a real theater shooting,” Wolf said.

On Thursday, the Seattle-based company will run full-page ads in major newspapers, telling customers that guns are no longer welcome in its cafes. But Starbucks is stopping short of an outright ban, exposing the fine line it needs to walk on a highly divisive issue.

"We are not pro-gun or anti-gun," CEO Howard Schultz said in an interview, noting that customers will still be served if they choose to a carry gun.

The move comes as the company finds itself at the center of a fight it didn't start. In recent months, gun control advocates have been pressuring Starbucks to ban firearms, while supporters of gun rights have celebrated the company's decision to defer to local laws.

sexual assurance?

Not unlike Obama's "red line" in Syria.