Starbucks Corp. (Seattle) has announced a sudden new change in gun policy, now requiring all customers in all locations to leave firearms behind when they are in its stores and its outdoor seating areas.
Though the policy change came on the heels of a shooting rampage at the Washington, D.C., Naval Yard that left 13 people dead, Starbucks said its decision was not in response to that nor to the shooting of 26 children and adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last December in Newtown, Conn.
However, Starbucks was spotlighted last month by gun rights supporters wearing camouflage and Connecticut Citizens Defense League T-shirts who held events in the state celebrating Starbucks’ liberal policy – which is to follow local law, allowing or refusing guns in stores in accordance with prevailing ordinances.
Connecticut protestors objected, feeling it was in the face of those still recovering from the Sandy Hook killings. Starbucks closed its store in Newtown early that day. Some felt that was a less-than-courageous step.
Groups like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America have advocated “Skip Starbucks Sundays,” staging protests outside Starbucks stores and urging consumers to boycott the company.
“I’ve spent a significant amount of personal time on this issue in the last several months and I’ve seen the emotionally charged nature of this issue and how polarizing it is on both sides,” said ceo Howard Schultz. “Nevertheless, customers in many stores have been jarred and fairly uncomfortable to see guns in our stores, not understanding the issue and feeling that guns should not be part of the Starbucks experience, especially when small kids are around.”
Under the change, store employees will not ask customers who come in with guns in holsters, say, to leave or confront them in any way, Schultz said. No signs explaining the policy will be posted in Starbucks stores, either.
“We are going to serve them as we would serve anyone else,” he said. “There are going to be people on both sides who will be disappointed or angry, but we’re making a decision we think is in the best interests of our customers, employees and the company.” He said store officials would evaluate compliance over time and consider posting signs if necessary.
“I want to make it very clear that Starbucks is not a policy maker and as a company we are not pro- or anti-gun,” said Schultz. “However, there have been a number of episodes over the course of the last few months that have put us in a position to take a big step back and assess the issue of open carry.”