About 24 people -- many gun rights activists from Newtown and the surrounding area, but some members of a group called Moms Demand Action -- gathered outside in the rain after Starbucks' Newtown branch closed at 4:00 p.m. Friday in response to a "Starbucks Appreciation Day" declared by some gun rights groups.



"Out of respect for Newtown and everything our community has been through, we have decided to close our store early today," read the note posted on the store's front door.



"Starbucks did not endorse today's event. We continue to encourage customers and advocacy groups from all sides of this debate to contact their elected officials, who make the laws our company follows. We recognize there is significant passion surrounding this topic, however we believe people should be sensitive to our community."



"I think it's unfortunate," said Newtown resident Vincent Venitelli, a shooting enthusiast who said he had been at Starbucks earlier in the day.



"There wasn't anything that wasn't peaceful. Everything was peaceful and respectful, and everybody has the right to show support for companies that don't violate their rights."



Monty Frank, a Newtown Action Alliance member and leader of the Team 26 bicycle squad, said he hadn't planned on being at Starbucks but dropped by on his bike.



"It shows respect for my friends and neighbors," said Frank. " I thought it was incredibly distasteful that gun rights folks, who have the right to exercise their first amendment rights, would do something [like this] here."