Under fire: Starbucks let customers carry guns in its coffee shops

Why do you people have the illusion that you are "safe" in a "gun-free environment"? Apparently you adopt the "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy. If none of the customers are allowed to carry guns then guess what: the only ones who will have guns are criminals. Businesses that ban their own customers from open carry are no more safe than any other. The difference is it will be a much more likely target of a violent criminal who knows there will be no resistance to whatever he wants to do. Law abiding citizens carrying weapons does one crucial thing: it levels the playing field, taking away the sweeping advantage from the criminals.

Used to live in CA, moved to WA when I retired. Used my firearms FIVE times in Sacramento to protect myself and home. It's a sad, but telling, commentary where the places you can carry, you don't need to, but the places where you really do, you aren't allowed to carry.

yeah the brady campaign makes me embarrased to be an American too

Every YEAR in America 4,563,000 people are injured -- 41,000 of them die. This level of lethal and traumatic violence is much higher than other developed countries. This American tragedy will continue as long as the car manufacturing industry is allowed to buy off American politicians with the profits of auto sales.

What other rights should I give up? how 1st amendment rights and shut this down? No I didn't think so.

The Brady Campaign to "Stop Gun Violence" is a cowardly campaign that goes after law abiding citizens precisely because those very gun owners are NOT violent. If they had any integrity they would go after the actual primary causes of gun violence in America, Gangs. Their bigotry against lawful gun owners is disgusting.

Let me expound my little blip as I left myself open to these cookie cutter responses. I am not against gun rights. I own a gun. My father owned many and taught me to use them since I was old enough to walk. What I am against is the anachronistic laws that allow the gun toting at a coffee shop. Specifically this is what I am against. I'll take my chances sipping on joe in peace in a gun free environment. I don't need some gun toting hero there "just in case" a madman decides to go on a rampage. I'm not afraid of guns i just think there is such a thing as appropriateness in a CIVILIZATION. The open carry at a coffee shop adds a level of unease in a CIVILIZATION. A society exists so we don't have to live in constant fear of the next guy blowing our heads off. Although it can happen the chances are few. Just let me drink my coffee without seeing your blue steel strapped to your belt. HIDE IT. I have a right, in all my education and experience with firearms, not to see a gun when I sip my overpriced coffee. Education about guns does not excuse inappropriateness with guns.
And as far as the fear of the state taking over a citizens rights-I get that and how this is connected to the right to arms. But the taking over our lives is much more subtle than this. Tote your guns all you want as your neighbor dies in poverty from a disease she can't afford to cure. That's the trampling of right to happiness and liberty.

Prejudice is caused by ignorance. Education cures both. Be a responsible member of society and educate yourself.

http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d18-Op...

Don't be ashamed, move to some place that you fit in and aren't fortunate enough to have the right to protect yourself. The facts should be the basis for your opinions. Don't make the facts try to fit what you want them to say. You too can handle the responsibility, don't let it scare you. No sense in being a hoplophobe.