A huge issue for Americans is gun control, and currently a case of whether Chicagoans should have the right to carry handguns is creating a brouhaha. The case has gone to the Supreme Court, and many are wondering which states permit open carry, as OpenCarry.org puts it, “a right unexercised is a right lost.” It is not easy to convince everyone of this, or of the value of guaranteed loans.

Which states permit open carry?

Complete open carry is prohibited by only six states. The following states were given a rating of “Gold Star” open carry states by OpenCarry.org. This means that "generally preempted open carry is permitted on foot and in vehicles without a license; localities are generally preempted.”

• Alaska
• Montana
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• South Dakota
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Vermont
• Kentucky
• Virginia
• North Carolina

The following states allow open carry, but have restrictions on doing so

• Utah
• North Dakota
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts

Other states may have their own open carry approximation. For instance, California allows open carry, but only in rural, non-incorporated areas. Here is an open carry states map for more information.

Starbucks even has something to say about open carry laws

Recent events have gotten Starbucks, the nation’s most pervasive coffee house involved in the open carry debate. Patrons have entered Starbucks with guns strapped to their hips, which understandably made other customers nervous. Starbucks, as a matter of policy, adheres to and respects state laws, but has the right to determine if they wish to allow firearms in their stores as a matter of policy. Any other business, banks to money lenders to clothing stores, has the same right as it is their store after all.

Starbucks gun policy is something CEO Howard Schultz would rather not have to worry about, but The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is demanding that Starbucks “offer espresso shots, not gunshots.” Starbucks’ office in Seattle received a petition with 28,000 signatures on Wednesday to that effect.

Both sides of the gun control debate are obstinate

This is an issue involving personal safety and civil liberties, and there should be healthy, vigorous, and open debate. Open carry states will likely remain so, but businesses tend to respond to special interest groups, particularly if they get corporate sponsors on their side. Thus, don’t count on being able to carry a holstered gun into your local Starbucks anytime soon, even if you live in an unrestricted state.