7/18/11 – Wisconsin businesses have some tough decisions to make in the next three-and-a-half months. They must decide whether-or-not to let people carry concealed weapons in their stores. Deborah Mitchell of the U-W Madison School of Business says it’s a “hot potato,” because of the image problems it can cause. The concealed carry law takes effect November first, and businesses have the option of banning hidden weapons. But they’ll have to post signs to do it – and Mitchell says those signs can generate strong reactions by shoppers. She says doing nothing will be the recommended option for many businesses, on the assumption that allowing guns by law-abiding shoppers is more profitable than putting up signs to ban guns that scare customers away. But Mitchell says the signs could also increase business for some, if customers appreciate their bans.
