I received this press release today and thought you all might find it interesting. I've copied and pasted it below for your viewing pleasure:
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
TELL STARBUCKS: ESPRESSO SHOTS, NOT GUN SHOTS
WHAT: The Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles and the Brady Campaign, as well as other representative (sic) from domestic violence, gang intervention, and public health organizations will assemble to protest the Starbucks open carry policy. The event will be followed-up with protests at neighborhood Starbucks.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 1 -1:30 pm.
WHERE: 1000 North Alameda, Joshua Tree Room, Los Angeles, 90012-1804 (The California Endowment Building) PRESS FEEDS NOT AVAILABLE
WHO: California Peace Prize Winner Billie Weiss of the Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles; Suzanne Verge from the VPC and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Dallas Stout, President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign; Civil Rights Attorney Connie Rice, a member of the VPC Ambassadors Council; Khalid Shah from the Inland Empire VPC, Second Call, the Cease Fire Committee and others.
WHY: Because of Starbucks policy to allow patrons to carry firearms openly on their premises, getting your morning coffee could be a threat to the health, safety and well-being of the community. In 2007, a total of 989 lives were lost due to gun related injuries in Los Angeles County alone. An additional 3,555 nonfatal injuries involved a firearm. Thirty-nine percent (39%; 386 deaths) of the deaths were of children and teens and young adults under the age of 24 and 34% of the nonfatal injuries involving a gun were also young people under the age of 24. Firearms are the leading cause of death for the populations between 15-34 years of age. Guns are lethal and do not belong in family friendly stores. In response, to the Open Carry movement, establishments such as Peet's Coffee and Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have said no to guns on their premises, but Starbucks continues to allow gun-toting patrons in their establishments. This is reckless behavior that puts all of us at risk. If Starbucks wants to be a good neighbor, they need to change their policy now.
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2010
TELL STARBUCKS: ESPRESSO SHOTS, NOT GUN SHOTS
HEALTH
ADVOCATES DEMAND STARBUCKS CHANGE OPEN-CARRY POLICY
WHAT: The Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles and the Brady Campaign, as well as other representative (sic) from domestic violence, gang intervention, and public health organizations will assemble to protest the Starbucks open carry policy. The event will be followed-up with protests at neighborhood Starbucks.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 1 -1:30 pm.
WHERE: 1000 North Alameda, Joshua Tree Room, Los Angeles, 90012-1804 (The California Endowment Building) PRESS FEEDS NOT AVAILABLE
WHO: California Peace Prize Winner Billie Weiss of the Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles; Suzanne Verge from the VPC and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Dallas Stout, President of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign; Civil Rights Attorney Connie Rice, a member of the VPC Ambassadors Council; Khalid Shah from the Inland Empire VPC, Second Call, the Cease Fire Committee and others.
WHY: Because of Starbucks policy to allow patrons to carry firearms openly on their premises, getting your morning coffee could be a threat to the health, safety and well-being of the community. In 2007, a total of 989 lives were lost due to gun related injuries in Los Angeles County alone. An additional 3,555 nonfatal injuries involved a firearm. Thirty-nine percent (39%; 386 deaths) of the deaths were of children and teens and young adults under the age of 24 and 34% of the nonfatal injuries involving a gun were also young people under the age of 24. Firearms are the leading cause of death for the populations between 15-34 years of age. Guns are lethal and do not belong in family friendly stores. In response, to the Open Carry movement, establishments such as Peet's Coffee and Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have said no to guns on their premises, but Starbucks continues to allow gun-toting patrons in their establishments. This is reckless behavior that puts all of us at risk. If Starbucks wants to be a good neighbor, they need to change their policy now.
You bafoons can't be serious about thinking that carrying a gun openly in an establishment is hazardous to the " Health & Safety " of patrons!!!! If anything it means patrons are that much safer against any violence & certainly deters any criminal ( whom will have a gun wether or not the law allows it )eho may be planning to rob or commit any act of violence on or near the premises of an establishment where patrons are allowed to defend themselves. A couple points to consider; citizens that actually "openly" carry guns means they have a holdster & an obvious awareness of firearms & their potential, thus having a hightened sense of awareness & ability to defend themselves & others. Most openly carrying gun owners are very responsible! 2nd point: Criminals & felons alike are going to carry & posess guns & other weapons regardless of what ANY law mandates so any anti-gun law will only prevent & deter everyday citizens from having any type of protection. If offenders have committed similiar crimes or have a history of violence they will not care about any anti-gun laws. Furthermore, if a patron is even qualified & allowed to carry a gun openly, that means they do NOT have any type of violent criminal history to even have that gun registered & legal. Anybody that is legally cleared to carry & knowingly carries for protection is required to attend a Police endorsed responsible handling & training class & are FAR FAR less likely to commit a crime. This seems to be common sense. Why shouldanybody have to explain this?
California Law allows Open Carry; why should Starbucks not allow it?
Well, I guess if you checked out the protest they would happily list their reasons for not allowing it. Fortunately I had to cover real news today so I wasn't there.