Activists want Starbucks to ban guns
Posted: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:10:54
March 6, 2010 - 6:08pm
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Starbucks decision to allow customers to bring open or concealed firearms inside its coffee shops has outraged local gun opponents.
A demonstration of the company's gun policy was held Saturday outside a coffee shop in Alexandria.
Lily Habtu is all too familiar with gun violence. Habtu is a survivor of the 2007 shootings that happened on Virginia Tech's campus. She suffered gun shot wounds to her head and arm and has spoken out forcefully for stricter gun laws. She joined 30 other protesters Saturday in Alexandria.
"I want to go in and get coffee," she said. "I don't want to get shot again."
Protesters hope the public demonstration will urge executives of Starbucks to reconsider policy.
Starbucks made its announcement this week after several gun owners nationwide walked into coffee shops and businesses with firearms to test state laws.
The coffee chain defended its controversial decision by saying its stores are abiding by state laws and that it is legal to carry a firearm in 43 states. But businesses have the right to prohibit firearms in their establishments which is sparking the debate.
A longtime Starbucks customer was in disbelief by the company's decision Saturday. "We can not smoke in Starbucks, but we can bring weapons?"
Chaz Wagner walked into Starbucks with his pistol on his hip Saturday.
A member of the National Rifle Association, Wagner said he wanted to show support for Starbucks.
"I'm out here supporting our Second Amendment rights," he said.
Kathy Stewart contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2010 by WTOP and Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Starbucks decision to allow customers to bring open or concealed firearms inside its coffee shops has outraged local gun opponents.
A demonstration of the company's gun policy was held Saturday outside a coffee shop in Alexandria.
Lily Habtu is all too familiar with gun violence. Habtu is a survivor of the 2007 shootings that happened on Virginia Tech's campus. She suffered gun shot wounds to her head and arm and has spoken out forcefully for stricter gun laws. She joined 30 other protesters Saturday in Alexandria.
"I want to go in and get coffee," she said. "I don't want to get shot again."
Protesters hope the public demonstration will urge executives of Starbucks to reconsider policy.
Starbucks made its announcement this week after several gun owners nationwide walked into coffee shops and businesses with firearms to test state laws.
The coffee chain defended its controversial decision by saying its stores are abiding by state laws and that it is legal to carry a firearm in 43 states. But businesses have the right to prohibit firearms in their establishments which is sparking the debate.
A longtime Starbucks customer was in disbelief by the company's decision Saturday. "We can not smoke in Starbucks, but we can bring weapons?"
Chaz Wagner walked into Starbucks with his pistol on his hip Saturday.
A member of the National Rifle Association, Wagner said he wanted to show support for Starbucks.
"I'm out here supporting our Second Amendment rights," he said.
Kathy Stewart contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2010 by WTOP and Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
