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For what it's worth, here is the webform email I just sent to Starbucks:

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Regarding Open Letter on Guns:

Let me start by apologizing that Starbucks got drawn into this battle. I don't know for sure whether it was gun control activist (with campaigns such as “BREW not BULLETS”), or gun rights activist (with “Starbucks Appreciation Days”, etc) that first drew the line in the sand right though the middle of your stores. But Starbucks made it clear from the beginning that they did not wish to be drawn into the debate. As a gun right supporter, I did appreciate your original policy of following the various local and state laws in Starbucks locations. But it became clear fairly early on that Starbuck’s neutral stance was not going to satisfy certain groups on both sides of the equation.

I am ashamed that many people who support easing restrictions on open carry, think that the best way to promote their cause is to push the boundaries and make others uncomfortable in the process. When they insist on doing this, it only hurts the case for the rest of us law-abiding gun owners who just want to retain the right to private self-defense.

So when I first read the open letter, I truly felt empathy for the plight that was forced upon Starbucks as an entity. Many of us honestly saw the writing on the walls and were not surprised. I was mostly pleased by the tenor of the written response and thought it did a decent job at explaining the circumstances accurately.

Based upon the fact that the written letter focused on open carry and did not ban all guns outright, my intention was to keep doing as I always do which is to carry concealed pretty much everywhere that I go. This is just the way that I live my life (wallet, keys, money clip, gun). It is a lifestyle driven not out of fear, but much like the Boy Scout motto of simply being prepared. Since I thought the response was reasonable under the difficult circumstances, I intended to still support Starbuck’s with my dollars.

However, during the interview with Neil Cavuto; Mr. Schultz made it very clear, in a way that the letter did not, that his hope is that his request would apply to those who would carry concealed into the stores as well. So now, while I understand why and empathize with Starbucks because they were essentially forced to choose a side, I feel I have little choice but to find alternative businesses to support with my dollars.

In my opinion, it is the open carry advocates and gun control advocates who initiated this battle. So I understand having to make a choice in that regard. But by expanding the request to those of us who have always chosen to fly under the radar, Mr. Schultz drew his own line further than was needed. But beyond that, I simply refuse to visit places that require me to disarm unless I absolutely have to. And since there are plenty of other options, I don’t have to disarm to get a good cup of coffee.

Sincerely,

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