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Starbucks CEO issues 'respectful request' against guns in stores

The request is receiving mixed reviews as some promise to boycott the chain, while others are thankful.

September 18, 2013

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has issued a "respectful request," asking customers to leave their guns at home when visiting Starbucks cafes. Although the chain is not banning firearms, Schultz said, in an open letter published this morning on the website, guns and weapons should be not part of the Starbucks experience.

"Few topics in America generate a more polarized and emotional debate than guns. In recent months, Starbucks stores and our partners (employees) who work in our stores have been thrust unwillingly into the middle of this debate. That's why I am writing today with a respectful request that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas," he wrote.

Over the past few months, pro-gun advocates in states, including Connecticut and South Dakota, planned gun rallies and media events in Starbucks stores, calling them "Starbucks Appreciation Days." Schultz said that disingenuously portrayed Starbucks as a champion of open carry laws.

"To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores," he wrote in the letter. "Some anti-gun activists have also played a role in ratcheting up the rhetoric and friction, including soliciting and confronting our customers and partners. For these reasons, today we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas — even in states where "open carry" is permitted — unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel."

Schultz went on to say that the company's vision has always been to create a "third place" between home and work, where people can come together to enjoy the peace and pleasure of coffee and community.

"Our values have always centered on building community rather than dividing people, and our stores exist to give every customer a safe and comfortable respite from the concerns of daily life," he wrote. "We appreciate that there is a highly sensitive balance of rights and responsibilities surrounding America's gun laws, and we recognize the deep passion for and against the 'open carry' laws adopted by many states. For years we have listened carefully to input from our customers, partners, community leaders and voices on both sides of this complicated, highly charged issue."

Schultz also sent a video to partners — which is what the chain calls its employees — reminding them that this is a "request" not a ban. He does not want any Starbucks employee asking someone with a firearm to leave the cafes.

"We want to give responsible gun owners a chance to respect our request — and also because enforcing a ban would potentially require our partners to confront armed customers, and that is not a role I am comfortable asking Starbucks partners to take on. Second, we know we cannot satisfy everyone. For those who oppose 'open carry,' we believe the legislative and policy-making process is the proper arena for this debate, not our stores. For those who champion "open carry," please respect that Starbucks stores are places where everyone should feel relaxed and comfortable. The presence of a weapon in our stores is unsettling and upsetting for many of our customers.

I am proud of our country and our heritage of civil discourse and debate. It is in this spirit that we make today's request. Whatever your view, I encourage you to be responsible and respectful of each other as citizens and neighbors."

Moms thanking Starbucks

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America launched a campaign in July, pressuring the chain to eliminate guns from its stores nationwide. The group's founder, Shannon Watts, said Schultz's message is a "huge win" for American moms who fought for this policy change.

"Because Starbucks is a business icon, this policy change represents a sea change in American culture, which is finally shifting away from allowing guns in public places," she said. "Much like smoking was once accepted on airplanes and drunk driving was abided without severe penalties, it is becoming passe for gun advocates — who may or may not have background checks, training or permits — to bring their weapons to public places. We thank and congratulate Starbucks for making this decision and for taking the safety of our children and families as seriously as mothers do."

Mixed feelings on Facebook

Starbucks also published the request on its Facebook page, where it received both supportive and angry comments.

Here are just a few of the more than 7,000 posts:

Jennie May Syverson: "So, let me get this straight: polite people that legally carried weapons should NOT bring them in, while criminals don't care and carry wherever they want? No thanks, Starbucks. I'll spend my daily $5.15 elsewhere. Thanks."

Brian Crook: "Mr Schultz, You've just advertised that your establishments are a gun free zone. Criminals are on Facebook too. It'll only be a matter of time before one of your poor employees becomes a victim of your ignorant decisions. In the meantime I'll be taking my gun and my business elsewhere."

David Trenchard: "To all those planning to boycott Starbucks because of this, thank you for shortening my wait in line."

Madeline Liao: *saw post* *grabbed popcorn* *clicked 'show comments'*

Watch the video of Shultz's address to employees:

Read more about operations management.

Photo courtesy of: www.ilovegunsandcoffee.com