New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense

In a desperate attempt at preserving relevance, the Brady Campaign has resorted to the worst of bullying tactics, placing the innocent folks at Starbucks directly in their crosshairs by demanding that Starbucks not serve law-abiding customers who have chosen to exercise their right to self-defense and their right to bear arms.  

There was a time when, even if you disagreed with their views, the Brady Campaign seemed to have good intentions.  Brady’s original mission allegedly was to find effective ways to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, and many feel that when used properly, the NICCS check is a positive tool in accomplishing this. The crusade against Starbucks, however, makes it obvious that the Brady Campaign has completely forgotten about criminals and has confirmed its intention to seek to disarm all Americans.  

In light of the Supreme Court Decision of Heller v. DC and McDonald v. Chicago’s likely incorporation of the Second Amendment, the Brady Campaign has resorted to the most despicable of tactics.  Rather than respecting everyone’s recognized and confirmed right to self-defense, the Brady Campaign prefers to strong-arm retailers into capitulating to their demands.  Where I’m from, that’s what is called being a bully - but some others might call it extortion.  

Unfortunately, this is no schoolyard pushing match or youthful intimidation.  At this level, being a bully means jeopardizing the livelihoods of all those employed by the popular and respected Starbucks Coffee Company.  It is ironic indeed that the Brady Campaign has gone from posturing itself as a champion of victims’ rights to being the aggressor and creating victims themselves.  Some people rob banks; some people rob gas stations; the Brady Campaign seeks to rob Starbucks of its income and its customers in order to achieve its ideological objective of disarming all law-abiding Americans and thus denying them of their right to self-defense.  

It doesn’t take any leap of logic to understand that being denied the capability of self-defense creates victims.  It puts lives at risk, it weakens communities, it diminishes safety and security, and it strengthens the resolve of those who would seek to do harm.  The Brady Campaign, along with the various Ceasefire organizations and the Violence Policy Center, are now the ones with blood on their hands, responsible for the continued victimization of innocent people who would otherwise have the ability to learn and prepare and arm themselves against violent criminals.  They have effectively become enablers of crime.

Bravo to the leadership at Starbucks, who have stood their ground and met force with force against the Brady Campaign.  That is what self-defense is all about.

Call your legislators and demand your right to self-defense - and let Starbucks know you appreciate their stance.

Starbucks Customer Relations
PO Box 3717
Seattle, WA 98124-3717