Here we go again…..

An anti-gun group calling itself The National Gun Victims Action Council is attempting to organize a nationwide Valentine’s Day boycott of Starbucks because of the giant coffee chain’s gun policy.

Starbucks says that it does not ban guns in its stores; rather, it defers to local laws.

“Starbucks allowing guns to be carried in thousands of their stores significantly increases everyone’s risk of being a victim of gun violence,” NGAC CEO Elliot Fineman said in a news release. “Open and conceal and carry are among the reasons there are 12,000 gun homicides each year in the U.S. If we had England’s gun laws we would expect 375 gun homicides each year—97% less than we have. England’s gun laws are based on protecting public safety, ours on maximizing sales for the gun industry.”

Gosh Elliot, have you ever heard of the US Constitution or even bothered to read it?

The Starbucks policy made headlines in 2010 when gun owners decided to exercise their God given rights at businesses throughout the country. Many businesses responded by banning guns, but Starbucks refused. At the time Starbucks explained by saying:

While we deeply respect the views of all our customers, Starbucks long-standing approach to this issue remains unchanged. We comply with local laws and statutes in all the communities we serve. That means we abide by the laws that permit open carry in 43 U.S. states. Where these laws don’t exist, openly carrying weapons in our stores is prohibited. The political, policy and legal debates around these issues belong in the legislatures and courts, not in our stores.

To which Eliot Fineman said it is just bad policy, and hopes his boycott can change it.

“Starbucks steadfast support of the NRA’s lethal pro-gun agenda damages its ‘socially conscious company’ brand,” he said.

Seriously Eliot?

I don’t drink coffee but on Valentines Day it looks like I might have to take my gal and my gun down to the local Starbucks for a cup ó joe.