Gunning for Starbucks (SBUX)

Gunning for Starbucks

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The sleeve of the Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX ) latte I bought today informs me that "Something bold is brewing." Whatever it may be, let's just hope it's not packing heat.

Starbucks has ended up in the crosshairs of controversy by announcing that it will continue to allow customers to wear guns in its stores. Open-carry gun laws apply in 43 states, but most states allow retailers the latitude to ban them in their stores. Gun-rights folks are giving the company a 21-gun salute (thankfully, not literally) for its firearm-friendly policy, and many folks are exercising their rights to wear holstered guns in Starbucks stores. Needless to say, anti-gun activists are not amused.

Starbucks often seems to find itself in a boiling pot of politicized controversy. Several years ago, militant moms in Maryland demanded their freedom of, er, expression to nurse their babies in public in Starbucks. I guess the coffee chain's quest to be a "third place" encourages its customers to advocate for liberties that most people usually confine to their first or second places. I wonder why more such activists don't seem to make their points at McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) or Burger King (NYSE: BKC ) .

Still, I think Starbucks did the right thing; if state laws say people can openly carry their legally obtained firearms, fair enough. I believe that banning guns outright wouldn't keep them out of criminals' hands. And plenty of gun owners exercise responsibility and restraint with their firearms.

That said, whichever way it decided on the issue, Starbucks likely knew it would face tough public relations. As Whole Foods Market's (Nasdaq: WFMI ) John Mackey demonstrated by revealing his thoughts on health care, taking any sort of politically charged stance can anger a significant bloc of your customers. And in all fairness, guns are undeniably dangerous in irresponsible hands, and customers with guns -- even in holsters -- probably scare the ever-lovin' out of their fellow unarmed patrons.

What do you think? Good for Starbucks, or bad for business? Take aim and fire away in the comment box below.

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Starbucks and Whole Foods are Motley Fool Stock Advisor selections. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Alyce Lomax owns shares of Starbucks and Whole Foods Market. The Fool's disclosure policy wonders whether Starbucks will replace tall, grande, and venti with .22, .38, and .45 caliber servings.

Comments from our Foolish Readers

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Report this Comment On March 09, 2010, at 5:37 PM, Sunshyne43 wrote:

I like it! I think I would feel safer in Starbucks with customers wearing their guns than I would in McD's who have a history of being targeted by thieves who are carrying guns. Maybe if more retail outlets of all kinds encouraged patrons to wear their sidearms we wouldn't have so many "stick-ups" by people who are not trained to use the pistols they are usually brandishing.
Report this Comment On March 09, 2010, at 6:09 PM, GrumpyOldGuy wrote:

Starbucks did the correct thing, I know is dismays the anti gun crowd but studies show that open carry/concealed carry (laws) do not contribute to lawlessness and many studies show that they actually inhibit lawless behavior.
What would you have Starbucks do? Have a gun check station at the front door?
Report this Comment On March 09, 2010, at 6:24 PM, spooney3 wrote:

Always a tough call, but if states allow it, then businesses should be able to allow it. Now the responsible gun packers need to show respect and not flaunt this opportunity to show that they can be ordinary citizens when packing into starbucks or other establishments. (disclosure-I am a hunter but do not own a pistol)
Report this Comment On March 10, 2010, at 12:30 AM, gryff wrote:

Good for Starbucks. If it is legal in the state, then it is nice to see a business not subscribe to the hysteria generated by people afraid of their own shadows.
Report this Comment On March 10, 2010, at 8:25 AM, jawbn9 wrote:

I think Starbucks made the right decision.
Report this Comment On March 11, 2010, at 5:08 AM, mberan wrote:

Activists don't take on McDonald's???? What planet are you living on? They're the lightning rod for activists. You name the cause. As the biggest and best, they get all of the heat.

updated 39 seconds ago Sponsored by:
	DOW	12,874.04	72.81	0.57%
	S&P 500	1,351.77	9.13	0.68%
	NASD	2,931.39	27.51	0.95%

SBUX	$49.25		+0.43	+0.88%
Starbucks		CAPS Rating:

WFM	$80.96		-0.66	-0.81%
Whole Foods Market		CAPS Rating:

MCD	$99.65		+0.18	+0.18%
McDonald's Corp		CAPS Rating:

BKC.DL	$0.00		+0.00	+0.00%
Burger King Holdin…		CAPS Rating:

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Gunning for Starbucks

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Comments from our Foolish Readers

Report this Comment On March 09, 2010, at 5:37 PM, Sunshyne43 wrote:

Report this Comment On March 09, 2010, at 6:09 PM, GrumpyOldGuy wrote:

Report this Comment On March 09, 2010, at 6:24 PM, spooney3 wrote:

Report this Comment On March 10, 2010, at 12:30 AM, gryff wrote:

Report this Comment On March 10, 2010, at 8:25 AM, jawbn9 wrote:

Report this Comment On March 11, 2010, at 5:08 AM, mberan wrote:

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