Brady’s Push On Starbucks Continues

As we reported in February, the Brady Campaign has been plumbing the depths of desperation lately.  In an attempt at maintaining its relevance, the beleaguered group has attacked Starbucks for allowing the lawful carry of firearms in its stores as provided for by state law.

As we’ve pointed out, the Brady Campaign has been quick to fabricate a “right” to feel free from fear, while angrily scoffing at the right to self-protection.  To that end, last month the group encouraged its minions to sign a petition demanding that Starbucks establish a gun policy more restrictive than state law.  “I demand that Starbucks stand up for the safety of its customers and prohibit guns in your [sic] retail establishments,” the petition read.

Media coverage of the situation has provided a platform for the group’s leadership to spew anti-gun rhetoric.  Ever the master of the snide comment, spokesman Peter Hamm recently said,  “If you want to dress up and go out and make a little political theater by frightening children in the local Starbucks, if that's what you want to spend your energy on, go right ahead.”  

This is the same spokesman who, in 2007, made light of the legitimate concerns of college students who fear for their safety and wish to allow legally-licensed students and instructors to carry concealed firearms on campus:  “You don’t like the fact that you can’t have a gun on your college campus?  Drop out of school.” 

And Brian Malte, also a Brady spokesperson, recently commented on the Starbucks situation by saying, “They’re putting their workers in harm’s way by allowing people to carry guns into their stores, especially open carry.”

Despite occasional rhetoric to the contrary, the Brady Campaign has always wanted nothing less than a total ban on guns.  And no matter how many fear mongering sound bites the group regurgitates, that’s not going to change.  In the real world, you have a right to safety and self-defense and the Brady Campaign has no business trying to take that away. 

As for Starbucks, it appears the company would just like to stay above the fray and go about its business—selling coffee—and not jump in the middle of a Brady-generated squabble that state law has already resolved in favor of the right to carry firearms.