Many support "Open Carry", (it is a constitutional right) many also support "conceal carry" legalization. I'm not a Starbucks customer yet but now I will be. Thank you paulfisher & all the rest of you who are putting in the time & work to keep our local areas safer.

crafty: Thank you. Did I meet you today?

I really like you Mr Fisher.

Just got back from the event. Had between 50 and 75 people show up, most of them armed. No problems, no children were harmed, lots of caffeinated beverages were consumed. A good time was had by all.

Notegal, you've got it completely backwards. Apparently I wasn't as blindingly obvious as I'd thought.
Yes, I carry.
Yes, I support your right to protect yourself.
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See the quotation marks around the first few lines? That means someone else said it and I was responding to him/her.
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I was pointing out his/her hypocrisy in wanting us to justify exercising our rights by asking him/her to justify exercising his/her rights.
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See the last line, where I say I carry a tool for personal protection? (That would be a Glock.) And in the middle where I reference the Brookfield police robbing me? (Of that same gun. On 04JUL.)
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If you were a member of WisconsinCarry.org or ICarry.org or OpenCarry.org & followed the news you'd recognize the moniker MKEgal and the reference to Brookfield.
Come join us in discussing civil rights & related issues.

MKEgal: so you don't think we should express our right to carry or free speech? That's just great and I mean that sarcastically. So I need to ask you why do you need to express your right to free speech and ask us questions? Why do you need to even ask your questions. Frankly, you just answered them. I would rather plan and be prepared than to not have some sort of protection if something happens. I hate the fact that common sense seems to be thrown out the window these days. Just accept that it is our right to carry and stop taking it away from us.

"I would like to hear your "stories" why you feel you need to carry a gun. How many of you actually have been victims of violent crimes that carrying a firearm would have significantly changed the outcome of the incident??"

Here's my list so far:
I've been raped once,
attempted rape once,
robbed once (at gunpoint),
and TWICE someone has come into my house in the middle of the night.
Other than the robbery (in a group of people, by a group of criminals), a gun would have probably stopped ALL those violent crimes against me.
(Oh yeah, there was also the armed robbery and kidnapping perpetrated against me by the Brookfield police...)

Besides, why do I need to justify exercising a RIGHT? Should I ask you to justify why you need to write comments on a news article? Why do you need to express your opinion? If you go to church, justify why you need do that. Justify your need to vote.

And for more justification, look at the news. Crime happens. It happens everywhere, at any time, to anyone.

Just like I don't expect to crash my car but I still wear a seatbelt, I don't expect to be a victim (again) but I carry the means to protect myself.

Crime doesn't occur in Janesville:

http://gazettextra.com/news/2010/aug/27/...

What would of happened if the victim was Open Carrying? Would have the assault occurred?

proartist: Also, unfortunately, challenges take time. So, if the Supreme Court says a law is illegal, like they did in Chicago, the Chicago city council passes another law the very next day that remove one of the many restrictions. The next day, the NRA and Mr McDonald sued Chicago again. Chicago will lose again. Guess what happens when a state/city loses? They get to pay the lawyer fees of the winner. It is in the millions of $ that Chicago has to pay McDonald's lawyers for the last loss. They throw away their taxpayers money by passing another stupid law that will surely be overturned.

proartist: We are talking about 2 different things. 1. Carry in DC, OC or CC is in flux. They have lost every lawsuit that has been filed against them. The latest information I have (I am not completely current on DC laws) is that you can only CC in DC with a permit. They only recognize the DC permit, so if you aren't a DC resident, you can't OC or CC.
2. WI. WI law allows OC. If you don;t like it, get it changed! You won't succeed because the WI constitution section 1.25 says "The people have the right to keep and bear arms for
security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose." which is more specific than the 2nd amendment. The WI amendment was passed in 1998, so, once again, if you don't like it, get it changed.

Look, I don't OC in IL because it's illegal. I don't CC in WI because it's illegal.

The most recent legal rulings I read are that with extensive registration procedures, open carry is allowed according to D.C. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina who found affirmatively that there could be regulatory provisions to permissibly regulate the exercise of the core Second Amendment right to use arms - but still OC - for the purpose of self-defense. If I'm wrong, mea culpa. Yet...if Beck's ilk are being discouraged from "packing" in D.C. because the lower courts, city, feds, and citizens don't think it's a protected right there at the "sacred home" of our Constitution, then tell me again why the citizens of Wisconsin and, particularly in Delavan at a coffee shop, shouldn't be equally concerned?

proartist: Missed one thing. Yes, it is legal to carry in national parks as long as it is legal in the state that the national park is in. So.... OC in a national park in WI is allowed. No carry is allowed in a national park in IL. Since DC doesn't allow OC or CC, then you cannot OC or CC in the national park in DC.

proartist: Nice you know your facts. DC doesn't allow open or concealed carry. They were the losers in Heller vs. DC and will lose again since they acted like Chicago and allowed guns but only in the house. The Supreme Court has made it clear in both Heller vs.DC and McDonald vs. Chicago that people either have to have 'free' OC or CC.

Anyone confused???? Glen Beck's rhetoric "honor" event this weekend is encouraging prohibition of guns on public lands (http://www.glennbeck.com/828/#Critical) :
"Prohibited Items

DO NOT BRING ANY SORT OF WEAPON, INCLUDING A POCKET KNIFE
• Tents/canopies/structures 
• Glass containers
• Alcoholic beverages 
• Firearms (real or simulated) 
• Ammunition
• Explosives or incendiary devices of any kind (including fireworks)..."
Even though it is their legal right - and they DO need their guns to demonstrate their liberties and protect their Constitution rights - and they DO not just support, but promote, open and concealed carry - and it is legal at this public site. (Legal gun ownership is allowed in D.C. and the National Parks: http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story......)
A bit ironic? Isn't open carry "safe" in a public forum? (LOL)

makes sense to be terrified of someone carrying openly and go about your life in blissful ignorance of those carrying illegally but concealed.
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I'm sure the crowd at Starbucks will be more polite than the crowd on this board.

walmart stopped carrying firearms in some stores because they weren't making enough money on them.

Proartist. As the chairman stated this isn't about any of the companies listed it is about people freely advocating a right.
Last I checked Walmart still sells ammo so I am not sure how your post is related.

Walmart also used have gun departments right next to their own pharmacies. I WONDER why they suddenly came to the realization that just maybe it wasn't such a good idea! (BTW, I haven't stepped foot across their threshold in years, either.)

This is not about Starbucks. They merely follow state law. AS DO Kohls, Wal-mart, Home Depot, Lowes, Pick N Save, WOODMANS, Target, Cabella's, Gander Mountain and thousands of other stores.

To the 3 people on here who feel so inclined as to not patronize Starbucks, are you going to add those other stores to your list of places you aren't going to patronize either? (I doubt it) EACH of those stores and thousands of others abide by state law and allow open-carry.

Don't be hypocrites and single out Starbucks just because thats where we chose to get together. Starbucks has nothing to do with it. Though they and other businesses in the area will sure appreciate the revenue from our members.

Wisconsin has a state constitutional amendment that 79% of voters approved in 1998 that guarantees the right to carry in Wisconsin. 38 other states allow open-carry. You are in the minority if you don't support the right to carry. Starbucks knows you are the minority. Kohls knows it, Wal-Mart knows it, Gander Mountain knows it, Home Depot knows it. (shall I continue)

They stand to lose FAR more business by going against the state constitution and NOT allowing law-abiding people to carry than they would by imposing the paranoid anti-freedom wishes that only a select few of you express.

See you all on Sunday

Carry On,

Nik Clark
Chairman/President - Wisconsin Carry, Inc.
www.wisconsincarry.org

officerfriendly1: Very true! Some of us are going to Lake Geneva afterwards as well.

"I wont endanger my family with a bunch of freaks who want to carry a gun!"
*********************
The Delavan Starbucks after 1pm on Sunday will be the safest business in the state!

Wow! The number of anti-gun and anti-Constitution comments are really sad and scare me. Do you realize the people that carry illegally will ALWAYS carry illegally? They are called criminals!! The people who are carrying to this event are responsible individuals who learn the laws inside and out. Yes, in WI we have laws to carry. Some argue it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL! How do you people think people survived throughout history?!?!? They needed a tool for food and a source of protection. How was this country founded?!?? Why do you think it is OUR COUNTRY'S 2ND AMENDMENT???
Why don't you gun hating folks take a step back and use logic. Situations happen anywhere at anytime. Lose the rosey colored glasses and wake up. I would rather protect myself than be rapped and robbed anywhere. I am sorry if that sounds harsh, but it happens! We are responsible individuals who carry. Why don't you do some looking into it before you spout off irrational, illogical, emotional comments!!!

Gun Toters, did you know that potential law enforcement candidates are quickly eliminated from recruitment processes because this obsession of carring guns is....um...SCARY!!!!

I always have my favorite drink (a latte once per day) at Starbucks and then I use the treat receipt to come back later. I cannot support the Starbucks decision and will STOP GOING TO STARBUCKS starting today.

The dollars of "normal people" who don't feel a need to intimidate others with the pretense of power by open-carry also "talk" to business. Contact Starbucks (and other area businesses) directly reminding them they have a stated corporate policy of being "ethical" locally and globally. To endanger their staff and patrons, not just welcoming but encouraging others who take such joy in putting others in peril, is neither ethical nor providing for the community well-being....and, therefore, they have lost your business until their policy is prudently changed to ban guns. http://www.starbucks.com/customer-servic...

glock21sf: That's not nice!
SarahB1: Come on by! You will see we are all just a bunch of normal people.

SarahB says..."Thanks for the warning. I won't be there either".

That is the best news I have read or heard all day!!!!

PackDaddy: I'll start. Zero, nill, nada. Now, how many times were crimes averted because the BG saw my weapon? Who knows?

As for victim of non violent crime, have had my car stereo stolen, have had a few other things stolen from my car, when I was a kid, had several home burglaries while I wasn't home, one time while we were all home. Broke the window, came in, and left as soon as we turned on the light.

Police invited? Well at least some there will be qualified to carry that extremely heavy responsibility on their waist.
For the rest, I would like to hear your "stories" why you feel you need to carry a gun. How many of you actually have been victims of violent crimes that carrying a firearm would have significantly changed the outcome of the incident??

Oh, one more thing. We invited the police/deputies from the City of Elkhorn, City of Delavan and Walworth County as well. It should be a good turnout. Supposed to have some beautiful weather as well.

The statement "People must have permission to bring their weapons onto private property, such as businesses." is inaccurate. We have implied permission unless someone posts a sign or verbally tells us to leave.

I'm glad to see some of you Constitution hating folks have read and commented on this article as well.

Thanks for the warning. I won't be there either.

2tl4u, jeez, this is what's so damned troubling about this. Just because you have a gun doesn't mean you're well-trained or even rational enough to know what steps to take is such a situation. It's hardly comparable to the "seat belt/no seat belt" question. Bunch of control freaks who want to intimidate me with their piece. No thanks. Counter-action, proartist? I'm in.

2tl4u: You prove the point! Neither customers nor staff can ever really KNOW when someone comes into a business, pharmacy, library, factory, etc. with a gun. The result of gun use will always be the same...harming another whether by the fallacy of "protection", for legal intimidation, or for criminal threat.

Many of you don't seem to see the problems that open carry or even conceled carry could solve or prevent. Look at the Budweiser shooting and other business shootings. It's not done by resposible people it's done by people who have been fired or had problems with people who work at those places. Now proartist would you feel the same if a fired employee came into the starbucks you frequent and shot the manager that fired them and customers along with yourself. But now lets say a responsible member of a open carry group was in there maybe the problem could be avoided or not be as severe.

"questionable mental status"...yes exactly.

I wonder how many will want to even work at Starbucks with such a policy given baristas have no way of knowing if that open-carry gun is "legal" or not; knowing "open-carry" proponents who feel so paranoid they need to have a gun to buy coffee clearly already have a questionable mental status.

Quote: "The statement also emphasized that they have a security protocol for any threatening situation that might occur in their stores."

OMG...Protection from the dreaded MALL POLICE..
Now I feel really safe....Common now...

Thanks for the warning. Now I know what where to avoid come Sunday.

Proartist Do you really think Starbucks cares what you think or how many of your friends will quit buying there coffee, NO!!!! because for the few that quit buying does not pay there bills but for the many New they attract the publicity is all they are after.

Why would anyone in their right mind think they need to have a gun to buy a cup of coffee? Why would Starbucks endanger the general public and their consumers encouraging such bravado and self-agrandizement of those so fearful they think "the revolution" to "protect the Constitution" will begin at Starbucks? It's shameful the staff at Starbucks will be forced to endure such grandstanding. I know I'm not alone in saying that while Starbucks may now enjoy the additional publicity and a few additional, gun-toting customers, they have equally lost the business of far more of the previous Starbuck "faithful".

Another reason to LOVE Starbucks! Now if they would just lower the price of my beloved Tall Black Cherry Mocha so I could have one every day!