Starbucks Gun Debate Arrives In Seattle

The National Brady Campaign delivered an anti-gun petition to Starbucks headquarters during a news conference Wednesday morning.

The group has been asking Seattle-based Starbucks to ban guns in its stores. Starbucks has ignored the request, saying it will abide by laws allowing customers to openly carry unloaded weapons.

Both sides, gun carriers and gun control advocates, went back and forth at the news conference.

"I don't know if that guy's there to protect me or if he's there to shoot everybody in the store," said Heidi Yewman of the Million Mom March which is part of the Brady Campaign.

"It was emotional sensationalism is what I feel it is… They use children as props,” said National Rifle Association member Will Moore.

The Brady Campaign said it chose Starbucks as a target because members of the pro-gun activist group, OpenCarry.org, often meet at Starbucks to exercise their right to carry unconcealed guns.

WATCH IT: Group Says Starbucks Should Ban Guns In Its Stores

In a statement released Wednesday, Starbucks officials said both sides of the debate have shoved the coffee company into a tough spot.

Read Starbucks Statement.

Starbucks customer Rob Ginter said he’ll support the company either way.

"It's their store and I think they should set the policies that work for them," Ginter said.

Similar controversy caused Peet's Coffee & Tea to ban firearms in its stores. OpenCarry.org has postings on its Web site praising Starbucks and thanking the company for protecting 2nd Amendment rights.

The Brady Campaign says the public petition has 28,000 signatures.