Starbucks Doesn’t Want Gun Owners Carrying – These Businesses Welcome Them

September 27, 2013 in News by The Manimal

Source: Freedom Outpost

Last week, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz put out an open letter, in which he requested Starbucks customers no longer bring firearms into… stores or outdoor seating areas.” Obviously, Mr. Schultz and those who think like him live in Wonderland, oblivious to the real threats around them. However, some companies saw an opportunity to welcome Second Amendment supporters.

Two Starbucks competitors, McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts were asked about their gun policies for their restaurants.

According to Yahoo:

Both companies said they simply abide by the laws of that state or region.

Here’s a statement from McDonald’s spokeswoman Lisa McComb:

“We recognize that there is a lot of emotion and passion surrounding the issue of firearms and open carry weapons laws.

While we respect the differing views of all our customers, McDonald’s company-owned restaurants follow local, state and federal laws as it relates to open carry weapons in our restaurants.

For franchisee-owned restaurants, operational decisions regarding open carry weapon laws are made by the independent franchisee.

That said, as with all aspects of operating a McDonald’s restaurant, we expect our franchisees and their crew to follow local, state and federal laws.”

And Dunkin’ Donuts spokeswoman Michelle King:

“Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurants are owned and operated by individual franchisees who are required to follow all federal, state and local laws with regard to firearms.”

Starbucks’ open letter was primarily directed at “open carry,” though it could be understood that the company desired that no firearms be on their premises, unless they were carried by law enforcement. The silly thing in Schultz’s letter was when he mentioned that it was OK for law enforcement to open carry, but “the presence of a weapon in our stores is unsettling and upsetting for many of our customers.” Wait, what? So if a police officer comes in with his sidearm openly displayed does that magically make everyone feel “settled” and “not upset”? I don’t follow the logic.

In any case, to be fair to Starbucks, the open letter was a request, not an outright ban, but it does tell you where the company’s mindset is. They do have the right to ask anyone to leave who is carrying a weapon on their property. I have no quarrel with that. However, I honestly think that if there is ever a shooting incident where people are injured or die from a shooting on Starbucks property, they should be held accountable, along with the shooter since they would be taking it upon themselves to protect their patrons.

As for McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts, I’m glad to hear that they openly support law abiding gun owners, including those that open carry. While I don’t necessarily believe that open carry is the wisest of choices, I do believe in one’s right to do so. I’m not a real fan of either establishment, but am happy they are taking the stand policy-wise that they are taking.