• September 18, 2013

Starbucks, which has up to now allowed customers to carry guns into its stores, is now requesting that they not do so -- although it will not refuse to serve those who carry guns, or ask them to leave its cafes.

Most states allow people to openly carry licensed guns, and most companies don't have policies banning firearms in their stores. (Those that do ban guns, or at least visible carrying of guns, include Peets Coffee & Tea and Whole Foods.) But Starbucks has become a focal point for both gun rights and gun control advocates. 

On Sept. 19, Starbucks will run an open letter from CEO Howard Schultz in ads in major newspapers that explains the company's decision.

In an interview, Schultz told the New York Times: “I want to make it very clear that Starbucks is not a policy maker and as a company we are not pro- or anti-gun. However, there have been a number of episodes over the course of the last few months that have put us in a position to take a big step back and assess the issue of open carry.”

He also said that "customers in many stores have been jarred and fairly uncomfortable to see guns in our stores, not understanding the issue and feeling that guns should not be part of the Starbucks experience, especially when small kids are around.”

The open letter says that Starbucks has been "thrust unwillingly" into the national debate over firearms.

It states in part: "Pro-gun activists have used our stores as a political stage for media events misleadingly called ‘Starbucks Appreciation Days’ that disingenuously portray Starbucks as a champion of open carry,” adding, "To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores."

The letter also states that Starbucks is standing by its position that the matter should ultimately be left to lawmakers, reported the Associated Press. 

Starbucks says the decision to change its policy is not related to the Newtown, Conn., shootings of last year, or this week's shootings in the Washington Naval Yard .