Starbucks had no idea this was coming, and now they've had enough.

The coffee chain could only sit and watch as gun rights activists promoted a "Starbucks Appreciation Days" to promote the fact that Starbucks had a policy to respect local gun laws at each of their respective shops.

As Starbucks gained unwanted attention and ultimately became embroiled in the gun debate, Chief Executive Howard Schultz finally decided to clear the air about the company's stance on the issue.

On the Starbucks website yesterday, Schultz sent a letter to his customers, saying that he would rather see gun policy be determined by the authorities rather than Starbucks.

"We've seen the "open carry" debate become increasingly uncivil and, in some cases, even threatening," he said in the letter. "Pro-gun activists have used our stores as a political stage for media events misleadingly called "Starbucks Appreciation Days" that disingenuously portray Starbucks as a champion of "open carry." To be clear: we do not want these events in our stores."

He said Starbucks is neither for nor against gun rights and gun control and asked customers to take the debate elsewhere.

"For these reasons, today we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas-even in states where "open carry" is permitted-unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel," he said.

The timing of Schultz's letter comes just one day after the horrific shooting that left 13 people dead at the D.C. Navy Yard. Starbucks was also facing increased scrutiny with the "Starbucks Appreciation Day" publicity because people planned to bring the rally to the Starbucks shop in Newton, Conn., where 20 schoolchildren and six adults were shot and killed in December.