Starbucks has made news recently for its decision to allow gun owners to bear arms in its stores where it is legal to do so.

Gun-control advocates have complained to Starbucks and asked the company to put in place a policy that prohibits customers from carrying weapons in its stores (which would be its right if it chose to do so). Pro-gun groups are cheering Starbucks for continuing to allow the practice.

Groups on both sides of the issue would be wise to realize that Starbucks is neither taking a position in favor of, or opposed to, the right to bear arms. What Starbucks is doing is engaging in the smart business practice of staying politically neutral.

In a recent statement on open carry gun laws, it is clear that Starbucks wants nothing to do with the heated gun-control debate.

"Advocacy groups from both sides of this issue have chosen to use Starbucks as a way to draw attention to their positions," the statement says. "While we deeply respect the views of all our customers, Starbucks long-standing approach to this issue remains unchanged. We comply with local laws and statutes in all the communities we serve."

While staying politically neutral does nothing to ignite passion, it keeps you from alienating customers. America is very much a centrist nation, and veering too far to the left or the right does nothing more for many businesses than offending half of their customers.

That isn't to say that jumping into the political fray is an inadvisable strategy for everyone. Businesses looking to stand out in a crowded and competitive product category can make a strong appeal to certain target group by aligning themselves with that group's values.

Starbucks isn't one of those companies, however. It is the big name in the marketplace, with customers in liberal San Francisco and in the conservative small-town Midwest. It has nothing to gain from taking a side.

The public relations strategy that Starbucks chose was the one that was ultimately in the best interest of the company, and it executed it very well: it took no action and then explained exactly why it didn't.