As part of an on-going campaign to pressure Starbucks to ban guns from stores nationwide, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will sponsor “Skip Starbucks Saturday” this Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013. The day is in reaction to the ongoing armed rallies being held by gun advocates at Starbucks across the country, as well as frequent open carry of weapons inside Starbucks stores, including loaded assault weapons.
“Guns in places like Starbucks is intimidating and an unnecessary risk to our children and families – we are asking Starbucks to exercise its right to adopt a gun-free policy in its stores,” said Kim Russell, national director of outreach for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Many moms don’t realize that in dozens of states, guns can be legally purchased and openly carried with no background check and no permitting or training. Gun advocates who bring their loaded guns into Starbucks have all the firepower of a SWAT team, but none of the required training.”
Moms Demand Action is encouraging moms to send a message to Starbucks by not patronizing their stores and, instead, sign and share a petition asking Starbucks to change its policy and to donate their coffee money to Moms Demand Action. Mom members will also post on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #skipstarbucks. Once the grassroots movement’s petition reaches 25,000 signatures, members of Moms Demand Action will deliver the petition to Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters.
Starbucks has become a de facto gathering place for gun enthusiasts due to its refusal to ban firearms from its stores. Although Starbucks has stated that its policy is to “comply with local laws,” it has a history of going above and beyond local laws in the interest of consumer safety. Most recently, it banned smoking outside of its stores where it would otherwise be legal to smoke. It also prohibits guns at its corporate headquarters, and does not allow its employees to carry firearms.
