Bye Bye, Starbucks. I'm Going To Coffee Tea and Whatever the Name is

Coffee chain Starbucks Corp. is sticking to its policy of letting customers carry guns where it's legal and said it does not want to be put in the middle of a larger gun-control debate.

The company's statement, issued Wednesday, stems from recent campaign by some gun owners, who have walked into Starbucks and other businesses to test state laws that allow gun owners to carry weapons openly in public places. Gun control advocates have protested.

Courtesy of AMERICAblog.

After 16 years of drinking Starbucks coffee (despite my opposition to their business practices over which the consistency of the coffee won out based on my universal travels) I will no longer buy coffee from Starbucks.

I'm not about to "holster up" and "carry my weapon" into my local coffee shop, nor am I going to let the nutcases and the Supreme Court tell me that those that think the 2nd amendment to the constitution allows them to carry arms into my local shopping stores.

Fuck Starbucks and fuck those that think this is even remotely a good idea.

UPDATE 3/4/10: Again, courtesy of AMERICAblog:

IWW Starbucks Workers Union Statement Regarding Open-Carry of Firearms in Starbucks Stores

A healthy and safe work environment is the highest priority of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union. We also believe strongly that citizens exercising their rights under the law are entitled to respect.

Violence against fast food workers and customers is a common occurrence that cannot be overlooked, and Starbucks is no exception. We appreciate the vigorous debate taking place by principled individuals on both sides of this issue. However, to date we are not aware of any efforts by Starbucks to widely engage its workers who are directly affected by open-carry gun laws. We believe an appropriate solution cannot be reached without doing so. We remain open to all stakeholders working toward a positive resolution that respects Starbucks workers' right to a safe work environment.

It seems that the Starbucks corporate guys forgot to explain things to the Starbucks union workers! Safety vs. fucked up gun rights? I think in this instance, Starbucks is going to have to back down on it's latest policy stance of allowing people to come into their stores showing their guns. Stay tuned ...