11/11/04 Daily Oklahoman 6B
Thursday, November 11, 2004
State readies case to enforce locked-car gun law; Hearing date set in federal court as companies seek to keep parking lot gun ban
Sean Murphy
Associated Press Writer
The state is preparing to square off in federal court against Whirlpool Corp. and several other Oklahoma businesses who are trying to overturn a new gun law. The law approved by the Legislature last session would prohibit businesses from banning guns in locked vehicles on company property. It was scheduled to take effect Nov. 1, but U.S. Chief District Judge Sven Erik Holmes delayed its implementation.
In the latest paperwork filed by the state attorney general’s office Monday, the state contends federal court is not the proper venue for the case. The next hearing is scheduled Nov. 23.
State Sen. Frank Shurden, co author of the bill, said the measure was prompted when a paper company in southeast Oklahoma fired several employees when guns were found in their vehicles during a drug sweep. Shurden, who authored the state’s concealed gun carry law in 1995, said some employees may face dangerous situations driving to and from work and should be allowed to carry a weapon.
“A lot of these businesses have late-night shifts, and these employees are subject to being violated by any type of predator that may be armed,†the Henryetta Democrat said.
Officials with Whirlpool did not respond to requests for comment, but in a complaint filed in federal court, the company said it should have the authority to prohibit items from being brought onto its property that may pose a danger to its employees.
“This includes the right to exclude individuals who possess firearms in locked vehicles on Whirlpool’s property, including its parking lot,†the complaint states.
Whirlpool Corp. employs about 1,500 workers at its Tulsa plant and has had a written policy in place since production began in 1996 that prohibits possession of firearms anywhere on company property, according to the complaint. * * *
Thursday, November 11, 2004
State readies case to enforce locked-car gun law; Hearing date set in federal court as companies seek to keep parking lot gun ban
Sean Murphy
Associated Press Writer
The state is preparing to square off in federal court against Whirlpool Corp. and several other Oklahoma businesses who are trying to overturn a new gun law. The law approved by the Legislature last session would prohibit businesses from banning guns in locked vehicles on company property. It was scheduled to take effect Nov. 1, but U.S. Chief District Judge Sven Erik Holmes delayed its implementation.
In the latest paperwork filed by the state attorney general’s office Monday, the state contends federal court is not the proper venue for the case. The next hearing is scheduled Nov. 23.
State Sen. Frank Shurden, co author of the bill, said the measure was prompted when a paper company in southeast Oklahoma fired several employees when guns were found in their vehicles during a drug sweep. Shurden, who authored the state’s concealed gun carry law in 1995, said some employees may face dangerous situations driving to and from work and should be allowed to carry a weapon.
“A lot of these businesses have late-night shifts, and these employees are subject to being violated by any type of predator that may be armed,†the Henryetta Democrat said.
Officials with Whirlpool did not respond to requests for comment, but in a complaint filed in federal court, the company said it should have the authority to prohibit items from being brought onto its property that may pose a danger to its employees.
“This includes the right to exclude individuals who possess firearms in locked vehicles on Whirlpool’s property, including its parking lot,†the complaint states.
Whirlpool Corp. employs about 1,500 workers at its Tulsa plant and has had a written policy in place since production began in 1996 that prohibits possession of firearms anywhere on company property, according to the complaint. * * *