In some states of the USA, the open carry lets you visibly carry firearms in public. This right is more or less accepted depending on the states, with a few applying a permit system. However, only seven states (including Texas and the state of New York) have completely banned open carry and implemented a restrictive firearms policy. Following the recent shootings in the country, the authorisation for carrying firearms has become a controversial subject.
The Starbucks café chain has found itself at the heart of the debate because of its policy on this subject. The company follows the legislation in each state, and authorises open carry in most of its cafés. In an open letter, Company CEO, Howard Shultz explains the company's decision to announce the end of the carrying of firearms in its American network. "For a long time, our approach to open carry was to follow local rules: we accepted it in the states where it was authorised and banned it where these laws didn't exist (...) We believe that firearms laws should be made by the government and law enforcement, not Starbucks and our employees".
On the other hand, the problem intensified with the creation of Starbucks Appreciation Days, demonstrations by activists lobbying for the carrying of firearms. These events, not sponsored by the company, made it the symbol of open carry. "Let's be clear: we do not want these events in our stores", insists Howard Shultz.
The chain prefers asking its clients to refrain from coming with their firearms to the cafés and terraces. However, "it's a request and not a categorical ban", underlines the CEO. "Why? Because we want to give responsible firearms owners the chance to respect our wishes. But also because a ban would potentially force our employees to face armed customers, and this is not something I see myself asking them to do".
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