Starbucks is getting put in an awkward position by handgun enthusiasts, even though the nation's biggest coffee chain is trying its hardest to remain neutral. In late February, the "Open Carry Movement" began encouraging people in so-called "open carry" states to wear their handguns everywhere - including Starbucks.
In an "open carry" state, you can carry a handgun, as long as it is prominently displayed. In some states, the gun must be unloaded (although you can carry the ammunition in your pocket, ready to load). The "Open Carry Movement" has been encouraging people to use their right to bear arms to the fullest, and has been encouraging people to wear handguns anywhere they can.
The connection between the Open Carry Movement and Starbucks is a bit confusing for me. One of the first Open Carry Movement groups was in the San Francisco Bay Area, where proponents gathered at Starbucks coffee shops. It's hard to say if they were just taking advantage of Starbucks as a meeting place, or needling the company's perceived liberal bias, or both.
Starbucks for its part has wisely refused to react. Spokespeople for the company have stated that it will abide by the laws of the state that each store is in - so stores in California, for example, will follow that state's Open Carry laws. Even though businesses are allowed to ban guns if they like, the same way they can declare "no shirt, no shoes, no service," Starbucks is sticking to neutral ground on this one.
The Open Carry Movement is meant to bring gun ownership out of the closet, so to speak. But I don't think the movement's members realize that it has quite the opposite effect on the undecided public. Standing in line for a latte behind some random guy packing a handgun on his belt is an unsettling experience, to say the least. I don't doubt that the gun wearer feels more safe - why wouldn't he? He's the one least likely to be accidentally shot through his own mishap.
But of course, Open Carry isn't trying to sway people to its side. It is the right wing Glenn Beck fan's version of a Gay Pride parade. "We're here, we're armed, get used to it!" may as well be their chant. Fine, fine, that's great, enjoy your cinnamon dolce latte sir, next please?
Of course, one can't help but be somewhat disquieted by an aggressive political movement which revolves around wearing guns everywhere. But coffee shops have been part of political movements since coffee was first brewed from that bitter little bean, so is it really any surprise?
I find this unfolding story fascinating, because it represents the first time (to my knowledge) that corporations have been openly used as a political battleground. I guess their imaginations go no farther than "Um… Starbucks?"
People, Starbucks is not a lifestyle. It is not a cultural movement. It is a business, plain and simple, just like Kinko's or 7-11 or Pizza Hut. The sooner we stop identifying ourselves (and our opposition) with corporate entities and marketing campaigns, the better.
Creative Commons-licensed image courtesy of Flickr user A Moon Man
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