on controversial issues, supporting same-sex marriage, banning smoking outside its stores, for example. now starbucks says come get your pumpkin spiced latte, but please leave your gun at home. cnn s. py harlow spoke exclusively with starbucks ceo howard schultz. we re not an anti-gun company. we re in the a policymaker. reporter: the man behind the ubiquitous green siren is smack in the middle of a heated gun-control debate. we have been mischaracterized as either being pro or anti-gun. we re neither. reporter: 43 states have so-called open-carry laws, meaning you can visibly carry a licensed gun in public. many businesses like target, walmart and starbucks say when it comes it customers, if a firearm is allow we the state, it s allowed in their sister. but that has led to dub starbucks pro-gun. we ve seen advocates on both sides of this debate use starbucks as a staging ground for their own motivations.
reporter: he s smack in the middle of a heated gun control debate. we have been mischaracterized as either being pro or anti gun. we re neither. reporter: 43 states have open carry laws, meaning you can visibly carry a licensed gun in public. many businesses like target, walmart and starbucks say you can carry guns in their stores. we ve seen advocates on both sides of this debate use starbucks as a staging ground for their own motivations. reporter: across the country, gun rights advocates have gathered at the coffee chain displaying photos on facebook. customers have felt uncomfortable. reporter: in an open letter, schultz says guns are not welcome at starbucks and asks customers not to bring them. but he stopped short of a ban.