Forty-five states have “open carry” laws, and Starbucks has a history of welcoming patrons who were packing. Now company CEO Howard Schultz is “respectfully asking” customers not to bring guns into the coffee shops, but stopping short of banning firearms.
“We’re not pro- or anti-gun,” he told Chris Matthews. But customers who are looking for “respite and community” have said they’re “jarred” by the sight of firearms.
“Guns should not be part of the Starbucks coffee retail store experience,” Schultz said.
