The vast majority of Americans back the request by Starbucks to keep guns out of its stores, a poll released Wednesday showed.
According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll, 66 percent of all Americans said they support the request for customers to leave their guns at home while only 23 percent said they are opposed.
A majority of individuals in households where guns are present — 52 percent — said they support the request. Thirty-five percent of individuals in gun households said they are opposed.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz released an open letter last month asking customers to “no longer bring firearms” into the chain’s stores or outdoor seating areas. In states with so-called “open carry” laws, Starbucks customers had been permitted to bring firearms into stores. But Schultz was prompted to shift course when supporters of “open carry” laws spearheaded a “Starbucks Appreciation Day” in August. Schultz made clear that he was not issuing an “outright ban” on guns because he wants to “give responsible gun owners the chance to respect our request.”
According to the poll, 15 percent of Americans said the request makes them more likely to give Starbucks their business, 11 percent said it makes them less likely and 72 percent said it won’t make any difference.
