While Starbucks does “not have a corporate policy regarding customers and weapons,” according to a spokesman, it is (for now) allowing customers to carry firearms into most stores. That is, unless it caves in to pressure from anti-gun groups such as the Brady Campaign.

What’s the big deal you ask?

According to an article over at AlterNet with this delightful introduction:

“So you’re at your neighborhood Starbucks, maybe with your kids, and you notice a man sitting at the next table with a revolver strapped to his waist. The man next to him has a pistol. In fact, you realize as you look around, there’s a table full of gun-toting customers just a few feet away, sipping coffee and doing nothing to conceal their deadly weapons. Aside from steering clear — or else getting the hell out of there — what can an unarmed citizen do?”

Yes, what can irrationally frightened (but thirsty) people do when visiting a “socially irresponsible” Starbucks?

For starters, they may notice those with firearms are ordinary citizens enjoying their beverage, perhaps reading or using a laptop, and not trying to kill or rob anyone. Second, they may also realize that if someone were to enter the establishment intent on committing a crime, he would probably be stopped dead in his tracks. Of course, a criminal would have to be pretty dumb to try robbing a place filled with armed patrons, which probably explains why it doesn’t happen very often.

The article continues: “It’s everyone’s right to be able to sit in a restaurant or coffee shop with their family without intimidation or fear of guns, either concealed or openly carried,” writes Lianna Davis, campaign manager for Credo. “Under the law, Starbucks has the right to adopt a gun-free policy, with an exception for uniformed police officers.”

Where does the “right” to sit in a restaurant or coffee shop without “fear” and “intimidation” come from? Your emotional reactions should not nullify the rights of other citizens.

Furthermore, why is there no fear or intimidation when uniformed police officers carry guns into restaurants or coffee shops? While the author does not explicitly say it, she suggests it is okay. Whatever argument she could offer against citizens carrying guns would equally apply to police officers.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has stepped up the pressure on Starbucks through an e-mail petition with the catchy slogan “Offer espresso shots, not gunshots.” A bit strange since no one fired any shots, but I digress.

The article closes by quoting an uneasy customer at Buckhorn Grill in Walnut Creek, CA., where 100 gun-carrying members of the Open Carry movement recently gathered.

“I’m a little worried,” she said, “I don’t feel safe in here. I wouldn’t have come if I had known.”

Sadly, this person sounds like the author of the AlterNet piece and would feel much safer around unarmed and helpless people, rather than knowledgeable and responsive citizens.