News

Conficting stories to blame for gun safety group's outrage at Starbucks?

July 30, 2013

One advocacy is up in arms after stories hit this week reporting that Starbucks pre-approved a meeting in Sioux Falls, S.D., for armed gun advocates to rally in its stores. The group, Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America, issued an open letter this week stating that "Starbucks management at headquarters and in-state approved the meeting in advance, but did not notify customers, who were understandably alarmed when more than 60 gun advocates — armed with everything from handguns to semi-automatic rifles to shotguns — were welcomed inside the store."

That claim, however, was inaccurate, said Danny Cowan, a Starbucks spokesman.

"To be clear, we never received an inquiry, nor did we grant approval," Cowan said in a phone interview with FastCasual.com. "That was inaccurate. We deeply respect views of customers and recognize significant passions around open carry laws. We comply with local laws and statues, and we abide by open carry laws. Where these laws don't exist, (guns) are banned."

In its open letter, Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America, called on Starbucks to stop "allowing these armed meetings inside stores, and to immediately ban guns from all of its stores in all states. Starbucks has the legal right to prohibit firearms in its stores in the interest of its customers' safety, but has chosen not to do so, despite the shootings and shooting deaths that have taken place inside Starbucks. It is time for Starbucks to walk the talk as a company that claims to be committed to corporate responsibility, and to take the safety of our children and families as seriously as mothers do."

Cowan went on to say that the company encourages advocacy groups to share their opinions with officials but that Starbucks would not take sides. Instead, each cafe will follow the laws in the state in which it conducts business.

It remains to be seen whether Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America will still push Starbucks to ban weapons, now that the chain has made it clear that it did not pre-approve any gun advocacy meetings. The group did not return FastCasual.com's inquiry.

Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America's statement also said that a similar meeting is planned by the gun group for Wednesday at a Starbucks in Seattle at 1st and Pike.

Cowan said the chain could not comment on that specifically but said the cafes are often used as gathering places and as long as customers follow the law, they are welcome. He also stressed that the chain was very sensitive to gun violence and that it believes the best way to keep its customers and employees safe is to follow all gun laws.

Read more about operations management.