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Is Starbucks Gun-Friendly? Advocates Launch ‘Support Starbucks’ Day (Here’s Why)

Feb. 22, 2013 6:08pm Billy Hallowell

Gun owners are showing up at Starbucks locations today to express their support for the company’s purportedly pro-gun policies. Second Amendment advocates are lending their appreciation to the coffee spots as part of a new, annual event they’ve launched called “Gun Owners Support Starbucks Day.”

So, until 11 p.m. tonight, supporters will be flocking to their nearest coffee shop to grab a cup of joe in support of their constitutionally-guaranteed right of self-defense. The Washington Post has more about the campaign:

Many people who love guns and coffee particularly appreciate Starbucks. In the 12 states with unfettered rights to “open carry” a gun, including Virginia, and the 16 others that are mostly open carry, Starbucks has rebuffed attempts by gun control activists to keep guns out of the national coffee shop chain. [...]

Starbucks first got drawn into this debate several years ago, and has tried to stay steadfastly neutral. Spokesman Zack Hutson told me Thursday that “our longstanding position is to comply with local laws in the communities we serve. We think that’s the right way to ensure a safe environment for our partners,” which is both employees and customers.

Alas, we now have “Gun Owners Support Starbucks Day.” Ed Levine, founder of the group Virginia Open Carry, told WNEW-TV about how the initiative came to fruition. Some individuals who oppose guns apparently tried to have him thrown out of Starbucks one day for carrying a firearm.

When these people decided they’d launch a boycott of the company for refusing to make gun carriers like Levine leave, the advocate said he was motivated to take action in support of the coffee chain.

Gun Enthusiasts Launch Support Starbucks Day to Honor Coffee Chains Defense of the Second Amendment

Photo Credit: Facebook

So, he’s encouraging gun rights enthusiasts to observe the “holiday” by spending $2 at Starbucks today. A Facebook event page setup to advertise today’s festivities reads, “Spend $2 at Starbucks to support a company that supports YOUR human rights, especially the most important right of all, self-defense and the 2nd Amendment.”

“I’ve got a pocket full of $2 bills that signify the Second Amendment,” he said while at one of the Virginia-area coffee shops. “We tip them and we show them we support them, supporting us.”

Here’s a description of ”Gun Owners Support Starbucks Day,” as posted on the group’s official Facebook page:

In February of 2012, Some anti-gun groups decided they would boycott Starbucks since Starbucks remained neutral on the “gun issue”. Starbucks follows the laws of the state the stores are in. Ed Levine, founder of Virginia Open Carry decided to hold a counter event on 2/14/2011 that went viral and hundreds of thousands of gun owners nationwide supported Starbucks.. and even paid in $2.00 bills to signify support for the Second Amendment. Starting in 2013, gun owners will make 2/22/XXXX their “Support Starbucks” day.

“Gun Owners Support Starbucks Day” founder Ed Levine (Photo Credit: Facebook)

It’s no coincidence that Feb. 22 (2/22) was chosen. Each of the 2s stands for one of the three rights the Founders enshrined into the constitution. Here’s how the group describes these rights:

2 = defense of ourselves.
2 = defense of our families and communities.
2 = defense of our great country.

A separate fan page has been setup to advertise the event for next year and beyond, as those organizing it are planning to make it an annual happening.

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Comments (72)

KingCanon
Posted on February 23, 2013 at 8:05am
Starbucks will give a thumbs up to whatever comes down the pipe.
Pro or Con coffee is their business but the economy is not their friend.

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- bdsconserv
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:20pm
  i find it hard to believe that starbucks would promote or stand for any conservative cause.
  
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- Colorado7972
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 10:49pm
  Makes me seriously suspicious that they support pro gun, when they anti every thing that not liberal. I wonder if they are suffering business wise as result of losing many past customers to their Liberal agendas, thus doing this action. Either way, I will not and have not given Starbucks my business.
  
  Report this comment
- wethepublicans
  Posted on February 24, 2013 at 11:48am
  this is all marketing. starbucks is run by a bunch of democratic donors.
  
  Report this comment
- Freelyn
  Posted on February 24, 2013 at 8:04pm
  Starbucks has been to the far left of every issue I’ve ever seen them respond to. Remaining neutral only if they thought it would too drastically hit their bottom line.
  
  Gay marriage
  Congressional Compromise – Come Together Campaign
  Commitment to the Green(Red Communist) movement – Climate Change
  Diversity support
  
  The list goes on and on, if Starbucks thought it could get away with coming out pro-banning all guns and keeping gun owners out of their stores they probably would but they know they’d loose to much Business. Just like Dick Sporting Goods must be doing with their support of banning sales of semi-automatic riffles like the ARmalite AR-15.
  
  There is ZERO way, I’m buying Starbuck’s anything because one guy thinks we should support them because they are taking flack from the left. I’ve got a better idea don’t support them at all and let them take all the flack they can from both sides.
  
  Report this comment
loneindividual
Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:40am
I’m not even Mormon/Christian anymore & I still don’t drink Coffee, particularly Starbucks (Ishtar, the Whore of Babylon).

Coffee is bad for you. Why drink bitterness when you already produce it?

ps: Revelations 17

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- sonofyahweh
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:18pm
  Loneindividual you seem to be the one who is bitter
  
  Report this comment
- txgunhand
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 6:04pm
  dip
  
  Report this comment
- tool4rage
  Posted on February 24, 2013 at 8:36am
  Like almost everything, everything in moderation is a good idea. Numerous studies have shown that coffee, in moderation, actually have positive affects, due to the antioxidants.
  Also, the word of wisdom was never meant to be a list of commandments. It was meant to be and advocate of moderation. Overtime, the LDS have perverted the word of wisdom to turn drinking coffee into the equivalent of committing a sin.
  
  Report this comment
jimmymac1
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:48pm
Starbucks is a queer run gay marriage supporting military Hateing crap hole, go to MacDonalds for a good cup or a latte.

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- lthm
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:43am
  Yeah, McDonald’s. Which just paid out a huge sum, because a handful of muslims bitched that the restaurant might have served non Sharia-compliant food. It’s hard to find a company out there that isn’t kowtowing to the liberal cause.
  
  Report this comment
- Phil USN
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:52am
  Get your facts straight. Starbucks is pro-troops. The Sgt. who sent the email out even realized that and changed his mind.
  news.starbucks.com/about+starbucks/myths+facts/militarydonations.htm
  
  Report this comment
- matabrava
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:00pm
  Jimmy I agree with you, that is why I stop buying coffee, or anything Starbucks. I’m sorry to say this, but Ed Levine is throwing his support to the wrong plp, and he surely will be disappointed. Starbucks take their and give it to left radical group that they can find. Mr Levine is greatful for the small act of not throwing him off the premises, but I’m sure it was a calculated risk on the part of Starbucks. Any way, I’m not here to preach, only to make an observation. As for me, I have made my decision, I’ll not support any business who support causes that are contrary to my beliefs, and political philosophy. That is the only power that I have, and I’m going to use it.
  
  Report this comment
- txgunhand
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 6:06pm
  troll
  
  Report this comment
- Colorado7972
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 7:41pm
  Amen lthm, McDonald’s was all over news past years, advocating liberal causes. Your right, it getting impossible to find a legit corporation that is not following some Liberal agenda’s beliefs.
  
  Report this comment
Jake Dog2
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:41pm
I don’t think Starbucks is anywhere near 2nd amendment supportive they are from Washington state for god sakes you can’t get any more left not ever CA is as left as that state. Starbucks has always been very left.

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- BayuzhiZERO
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:03pm
  Washington is an open carry state.
  
  What?
  
  Report this comment
JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:29pm
Pound of coffee in every cup, guaranteed to wake you up, Starbucks.

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ORACLE12389
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 10:20pm
I don’t even drink coffee, but I’ll conceal carry at my local Starbucks, with a tight shirt on wink wink, just to piss off the liberals. While this company may be liberal anyone that stands with guns I’ll stand with, no one is perfect so we have to do what we have to do.

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loneindividual
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 9:40pm
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/17?lang=eng

Starbucks = Ishtar = Lady Liberty

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- txgunhand
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 6:08pm
  mooslum
  
  Report this comment
- loneindividual
  Posted on February 24, 2013 at 2:36pm
  I despise Islam.
  
  Report this comment
KEELHAULUM
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 9:15pm
Sorry, starbucks does not support the US Military and so by extension do you think they would be for or against my right to own and carry a firearm????
I like the Constitution and guns,…coffee doesn’t even enter into it.

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- BayuzhiZERO
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:05pm
  That’s a lie. They do indeed support the military.
  
  What kind of coffee do you think troops are receiving in Afghanistan?
  
  Report this comment
R1dd1ck
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 9:10pm
This might hurt their business seeing as how a good portion of their customer base are hipster, doofus, liberals.

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- Displacedsoutherner
  Posted on February 24, 2013 at 9:27am
  If the above mentioned customer base whines loudly enough Starbucks will ban firearms in their stores.
  
  I can see the faces of the latte Libs now as they recoil in horror at the sight of a lawfully armed citizen, clutch their spoiled children to their chests and hustle them into the parking lot and assumed safety.
  
  Starbucks is a business and whichever stance regarding guns brings them the greater revenue will be their official policy, local laws be damned.
  
  Report this comment
oneshiner
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 8:04pm
I love coffee and can’t stand Starbucks coffee or rhetoric. McDonalds has better coffee for a dollar.

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 9:16pm
  True. I wonder if this is for real? Starbucks is always for the most liberal policies under the sun, which is why I don’t buy their crap.
  
  Report this comment
- stumpy68
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 9:45pm
  McDonalds last i knew sold newmans own coffee
  and last i checked newmans own supported peta
  id rather brew coffee in an old sock and drink it
  
  Report this comment
- orionreplay6607
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 5:21am
  You can’t even buy free packets of sugar at Starbucks for $2. I prefer a Dunkin Turbo any day.
  
  Report this comment
eagledown
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:55pm
PR Stunt. Yes, they are trying to re-coup losses from the latest boycott by the Obama A kisser owner. But, I’m more cynical, they may be wanting the same results that happened here in California, and it all started at a Starbucks. Our 2nd Amendment friends started showing up in Starbucks with there open carries to, prove a point or whatever.

Well, before you know it, the yellow lib’s were incensed and freaked out. Well, 6 months later Open Carry was banned.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/california-open-carry-law_n_1003843.html

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- Oath-keeper
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 8:13pm
  You are 100% correct….Only sheep will be fooled, under that wool is a wolf…
  
  Report this comment
- eagledown
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 1:02am
  @OATH-KEEPER Nice handle! I’m a proud member. All of the newest talk, even on Glenn’s show the other day.. with the Sheriff’s. Glenn never gives Oath Keepers any mention, shame. Oath Keepers brought this whole concept to light. “All about the Sheriff’s”. I’m on the border of Sac and El Dorado Hills, so I’m real close to 2nd Amendment Country. People don’t realize, East of Sac is pretty conservative and I think a small army could be posse’d up in short notice.
  
  Sad day. 10 years ago Al Qaeda was our biggest fear.
  Now it’s our own government?
  
  “ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ”
  
  Report this comment
- matabrava
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 2:36pm
  Nice job! I don’t buy their crap either. Ed Levine is being taken for a ride.
  
  Report this comment
Nuclear Bumpkin
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:38pm
I’ll support Starbucks when a cup of black coffee without any fufu crap in it isn’t a special order.

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Uechi
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:32pm
I trust Starbucks as much as I would trust the Black Messiah, not!

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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:48pm
  Starbucks supports the pro-abortion lobby.
  I guess pregnant ladies avoiding caffine is bad for business.
  
  Report this comment
Gargent_Furball
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:27pm
Common Blaze get you **** together !!!!

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Gargent_Furball
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:26pm
I don’t know about Starbucks but I suggest every company ,
Large or Small support the 2nd amendment to the Constitution of The United States.

And , Let there be a well recognized militia.

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- Evolved
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 8:46pm
  It’s called the army, idiot.
  
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- EdtheK
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 10:52pm
  Devolved,
  The Militia as referred to in the Second Amendment is ” We the People”.
  The founders were concerned that a time would come that the Federal Government would become Tyranical. They knew that men are fallible, and the militia , the people, were the way to prevent it.
  The never had plans for a standing army, and based on their experiences with the British, did not trust one either.
  Sounds like you slept through your American History and Civics classes, or were unfortunate enough to be taught by one of the more “enlightened” textbooks that are now indoctrinating our youth.
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:02pm
  army–professionals
  
  militia—-home defenders…you would call them amateurs
  
  Report this comment
wilbstal
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:22pm
when I see the star bucks CEO shoot down 20 or so Liberal Communist ill beleive them. Until i see action i wait and see attitude.

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Stelex
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:16pm
I suggest any one who can, open carry into a starbucks over the next week or so. Check out the reaction.

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- Evolved
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 8:49pm
  Awesome idea! Lets regress 200 years! It’d be like the Wild West! Open carry? I think you may be more dangerous than the gays!
  
  Report this comment
- EdtheK
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 10:59pm
  Devolved,
  You appear to think you are enlightened.
  You fail to understand the constitution.
  The right to keep arms shall not be infringed.
  Legal gun owners are not the problem.
  No one is looking for the wild west, but pantywaist libs get all hyperventilated at the sight of firearms.
  At my local gun shop and range, all the employees open carry in there. It is the absolute safest store in the whole Metro area.
  
  Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:14pm
Starbucks smells like an OWS protester. After he sht on a cop car. Then had sex with a lesbian with long stringy arm **** and hairy legs whom briefly forgot she was a lesbian because there were no sexually identifiable markers on her body anymore due to piercings and tattoo’s.

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grimmster
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 7:12pm
Screw starbucks, liberal pieces of crap…….

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spfoam1
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:54pm
They tolerate what they have to, and support every liberal cause I can think of. Spokesman Zack Hutson never said a thing about supporting the 2nd Amendment.

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TSUNAMI_22
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:43pm
Starbucks isn’t the friend of conservative thinking. Period.

This is a publicity stunt to recoup lost sales due to past liberal support. Boycott them.

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Common Sense 24
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:30pm
Like Gay marriage in WA state.

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PoliticallyRightUs.Com
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:28pm
Yes I seam to remember a lot of liberal BS Starbucks supports… I am afraid this is just a ploy for business!!!???

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- msjoe43
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:49pm
  I agree with you. Just a ploy to make some bucks off The Second Amendment….
  Starbucks, just to make money will support what every …
  
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whatthecrazy
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:20pm
Yum,a coffee in one hand and a gun in the other……..Now thats the America that i long for.:)

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- PoliticallyRightUs.Com
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:27pm
  Oh yea!!!
  
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- Xanderson
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:35pm
  Yes, I just read the story about the leaking radioactive waste tanks also out there in Starbucks’ home state and I have a sudden hankering for a venti-AR-15-”shot”-decaf-glow-cachinno!
  
  Extra hot :o)
  
  Report this comment
checkmate0831
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:18pm
Before everyone starts running to starbucks, you might want to check out all the other things they support.

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- DougHuffman
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:24pm
  These are single issue types.
  
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- spirited
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:52pm
  Any links ?
  
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- BayuzhiZERO
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 12:12pm
  Without the Second Amendment, NONE OF THE OTHER “things they support” MATTER!
  
  My god, people, get a grip!
  
  Report this comment

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