Guns at Starbucks? Time for a New Coffee Shop

'Open Carry' backers grab coffee, tea and a .43.

(NEWSER) - A growing number of gun rights supporters in Northern California are making a frightening point by packing guns in places like Starbucks. The members of the Bay Area Open Carry Movement sport guns in holsters reminiscent of the Old West. Luckily, they're not loaded, so the guns are in full compliance with state law, but that's not making other customers feel secure. “You can have a functioning loaded weapon in two seconds,” boasted one college student who carries plenty of ammo and has been packing a gun on his hip for about a month. More»

Measure would let elected officials carry concealed weapons

(NEWSER) - California state legislators are demanding that laws be eased to allow them to carry concealed weapons because they say their lives are in danger. Under state law, anyone who wants to carry a concealed handgun must apply for a permit and make an argument that they need it for protection. Jewelers, bail bondsmen, and prosecutors are usually on top of the list, notes the Los Angeles Times . But now some lawmakers are arguing that the law should be changed to make it easier for politicians to carry the guns. "I've had guys come up to me ready to punch me out," said Democratic state Sen. Lou Correa of Santa Ana, co-author of the new permit bill. More»

But pastor must tell others about 'security force'

(NEWSER) - Now you can go to church packing heat—as long as you do in Louisiana. GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed into law the controversial "Gun-in-Church" bill that authorizes people after 8 hours of safety training to carry concealed weapons into any house of worship (including mosques) as part of a "security force." The head of the religious institution must announce that there will be pistol-packers among congregants, notes the Times-Picayune . Supporters claim the law helps provide extra protection in crime-ridden neighborhoods. The bill goes into effect mid-August, so there's plenty of time to duck. More»

It almost had a different Ahab-themed name

(NEWSER) - “Starbucks is the coffee icon people either love or love to hate,” writes Dave Roos, but how much do you actually know about the coffee giant? He rounds up 10 educational facts on Mental Floss :

• It was almost named Pequods: Yes, that’s “an extremely vague literary reference” to Captain Ahab’s boat in Moby-Dick. The founders ended up naming it after his first mate instead—Starbuck.
• The logo explanation: The confusing image of a woman (what does it mean?) started out as another nautical reference—a picture of a siren—but was too risqué. After much editing, we got the green image you know and love.
• The kidney transplant: One barista at a Washington Starbucks donated her kidney to a regular customer in 2007.

And it desperately wants out

(NEWSER) - Starbucks doesn’t want to be part of the gun control debate, but lately it seems to be something of a bullseye. After the coffee chain refused to ban guns in its stores, both Brady Campaign protesters and those packing heat have been demonstrating at Seattle-area Starbucks, the Post-Intelligencer reports. “Starbucks put out a statement saying they don’t want to be in the middle of this fight. Well, they are. They are in the middle,” said the group’s director. More»