On Tuesday night, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz issued an open letter to kindly request that his customer to stop bringing firearms into stores. Being sure to clarify that he is not officially banning guns or weapons, he simply requests that customers in all states leave them at home.

Schultz explains that his company and employees have been “thrust unwillingly” into the gun debate. Although the brand believes that gun policy decisions “should be addressed by government and law enforcement — not by Starbucks and our store partners,” Starbucks has had both pro- and anti-gun activists confronting fellow customers and creating friction in what is intended to be a safe space. Pro-gun activities have organized “Starbucks Appreciation Days” to celebrate the “open carry” policy — a policy which previously applied only to Starbucks branches in “open carry” states.

Watch Howard Schultz’s Starbucks gun remarks on CNN:

This move could cause Starbucks to lose a large group of customers, but the brand is no stranger to controversy. In 2012, Starbucks’ gains were threatened when Schultz maintained a firm stance in support of gay marriage, and recently, Schultz reported his belief that Obamacare is a good thing for the country.

However, Schultz’s stance on guns is less decisive. He wants to be clear: Starbucks does not want to approach anyone carrying a weapon. He is allowing customers to make the decision themselves and merely making a strong suggestion. As a CEO worth around 2 billion dollars at a powerful, international corporation: if you’re going to make a stance on one of the most controversial issues in our nation today, why not make it a firm one?