- Right now @clgoddard is delivering 35K signatures to Congress pre-State of the Union to push for action on #guns http://t.co/C04i0QaY
- What can you do to help make a safer nation? Consider volunteering time & talent. Details here: http://t.co/hG1SKqJL
- If you've lost a loved one to gun violence, plz share your story: http://t.co/vSjqVbmI
- Tell Congress we want action to reduce #gun violence. Help reach the goal of 30,000 emails by midnight: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Only hours left to make as big an impact as possible. Plz RT to help reach goal of 30K emails to Congress: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- #NowIsTheTime to rally friends & followers to reach our goal of 30,000 emails to Congress in the next few hours: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- #NowIsTheTime to make Congress hear our demand to reduce #gun violence. Help send 30K emails by midnight http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Make sure Congress hears our demand for action to reduce #gun violence. Let's send 30,000 emails over the next 48 hours http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Make our voices heard. Help send 30,000 emails urging Senate Judiciary Committee members to act on #gun reform http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- #NowIsTheTime to rally friends, family & followers to help send 30,000 emails to Congress in the next 48 hours: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- Nationwide call-to-action: Help rally friends & family to send 30,000 emails to Congress in the next 48 hours: http://t.co/GdNtznlD
- President, Gabby Giffords & Mark Kelly say #NowIsTheTime for #gun reform. Tell Congress you agree: http://t.co/NJBj2Vt8 http://t.co/bWHypNuY
More Than 25,000 Americans So Far Agree: No 'Room For Guns' In Coffeehouses
Feb 11, 2010
Washington, DC – A Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence petition drive with CREDO Mobile Company to urge the Starbucks Coffee Company to prohibit guns in its retail outlets is attracting substantial support, with more than 25,000 people signing. The petitions will be delivered to the coffee retailer soon.
The petition is at http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/starbucks_guns/?rc=brady.
“We urge Starbucks to respect the rights of the vast majority of its customers, who seek to take their families into its stores without facing the intimidating presence of openly carried guns,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.
Two weeks ago, after gun enthusiasts began targeting California restaurants for meetings, carrying their handguns out in the open, executives with Peet’s Coffee and Tea and California Pizza Kitchen announced they would exercise their private property right to prohibit the “open carry” of guns in retail locations. Concerned citizens in California started urging a third chain, Starbucks, to similarly prohibit the “open carry” of firearms in its retail establishments, but Starbucks rebuffed their requests.
Last Thursday, Helmke sent a letter to Howard Schultz, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, asking the company to change its policy. No response has been received.
The open display of firearms in public places is inherently threatening and intimidating, and poses risks to those nearby, to law enforcement and to the community. When open carrying of guns has occurred in retail stores, other customers legitimately become alarmed and the police often are called to the scene, contributing to a volatile and potentially dangerous situation. One Sheriff’s Lieutenant in California said when police respond to a “man with a gun” call, they have no idea what the intentions of the gun carrier may be and “the result could be deadly.”
The “open carry” rallies and the Brady/CREDO petition drive have garnered extensive media attention, not only in San Francisco where the activities have been centered, and Seattle, where Starbucks is based, but in the Los Angeles Times, CBS News online and other media outlets.
Visit CREDO Mobile’s website at http://www.credomobile.com. Formerly Working Assets, the company was established in 1985 to help busy people make a difference in the world through everyday activities like talking on the phone. To date, $65 million has been raised for progressive causes, including over $250,000 for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The company also serves as a strong political force, with a 1,000,000 strong CREDO Action activist community that fights for progressive change.
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The Brady Campaign is the nation's largest citizens' lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives. We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, empowering the American people to hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.
We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.
Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.
For more insight on gun violence prevention, follow The Brady Blog, Facebook Page and Twitter Account.
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