imported post
Hi All,
Please see below a response to the Brady Campaign. This will also be available at http://www.baoc.us soon.
Carry On,
Livermoron
[align=center]
January 20[sup]th[/sup] 2010[/align] [align=center]
Bay Area Open Carry[/align]
The Brady Campaign, a nationally established Anti-Gun and apparent Anti-Constitution organization, having routinely been thwarted by many Americans practicing common sense and choosing to uphold the Constitution, have resorted once again to the common depraved tactics of complain, make noise, boycott, and complain more, until you cause your subject to buckle under perceived social or economic strain. The use of “think and act like us or else” pressuring against businesses and individuals is nothing less than shameful and has no place in a civilized society.
Persons exercising their rights under the Constitution, and acting within the laws of the land in whatever manner, are not criminals by definition. Individuals that may choose to practice Catholicism, or build homes, or drive a car, or drink coffee, are all conducting lawful activities in just the same manner as a firearm owner who may choose to “Unloaded Open Carry” his or her firearm. It is clear that the Brady Campaign does not enjoy the basic common sense to understand these facts.
Below is an unedited excerpt from an “Action Alert” memorandum as written January 20[sup]th[/sup] 2010 by Amanda Wilcox of the Brady Campaign, Sacramento Valley Brady Campaign Chapter. This Action Alert was sent to Miss Wilcox’s fellow members.
1. ACTION ALERT: Please contact Starbucks and complain about Open Carry events taking place at their stores: There is a very aggressive push going on by the CA Open Carry Movement
http://www.californiaopencarry.org/ to bring guns onto private property in workplaces and restaurants. The California Chapters believe that -- besides being bad for business -- the Open Carry events are dangerous for the community. When we learn of an upcoming event we are alerting the store managers and corporate offices so they can be proactive in establishing a gun-free policy and advising their employees on how they should respond. When we learn of an event that has taken place we are contacting the manager and corporate offices to complain:
"As members of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, we want to voice strong disapproval of allowing guns on the premises of your establishments. Whether legal or not, the practice is intimidating and attempts to normalize the carrying of deadly weapons in public *̶ an act potentially dangerous to the community. With the horrific problem of gun violence in California this type of threatening behavior is unacceptable. The excuse that it is legal to carry an unloaded gun in public does not make it a responsible act. We believe that as a manager you have the right to prohibit guns on the premises of your establishment. All states have private property rights and the rights of employers to adopt a gun-free policy. We strongly encourage you to adopt a gun-free policy for your company. We are advising people, for the safety of their families, NOT to frequent establishments that allow open carry of guns on their premises."
An Open Carry Event was held recently at the: (see this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYWz7BEEg1k)
Cherry Orchard Starbucks
332 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA
408-736-6859
Call Manager "Chris" of the Cherry Orchard Starbucks to complain about this event.
We contacted Starbucks Corporate Office to obtain their statement regarding this issue. Starbucks Corporate deftly passed the star "buck" with this response:
"Thanks for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company. Starbucks does not have a corporate policy regarding customers and weapons; we defer to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding this issue. We appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns."
Bill C.
Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee Company
Congratulations are in order to Starbucks. Three cheers. Our friends, our families, and we, will continue to frequent their many fine establishments. Starbucks had the fortitude and wisdom to not be pushed around by the unreasonable, narrow minded, and shortsighted will of the Brady Campaign. Unfortunately it appears that members of the Brady Campaign are still being trumpeted into further warrantless complaining.
Members of the Brady Campaign, if you are “intimidated” by the mere sight of a firearm, you are cordially invited to not look in the direction of a person lawfully practicing Unloaded Open Carry. Your freedom to publicly assemble and enjoy a wonderful cup of coffee will stand. In the process, you will not be undermining the rights and lawful activities of, your fellow Americans.