THE BACKGROUND: Starbucks became the focus of a debate between advocates of "open-carry" gun laws and gun-control groups for its policy of allowing weapons into its stores where it's legal.
COMMON PRACTICE: Starbucks follows local and state laws that allow people to carry visible weapons, which is legal in most U.S. states. Many large retailers do the same.
RETAIL POLITICS: Businesses shy away from divisive political arguments because they are no-win situations that can alienate customers and cost sales.
