Why Would You Even Ask This Question.

[Trunk Monkey]

So I got to work tonight and as I was clocking in I heard two client employees having a discussion.

The facility where I work at has gunbuster signs on the building but not on the entrance gate to the grounds. The only thing on the main gate is a sign that says it any vehicle entering the facility is subject to search.

So apparently, one of the employees saw the signs on the building (that have been there forever) and decided to go inform the general manager he has a concealed handgun permit and wants to know if he can keep a gun in his car or is that not allowed by company policy.

This guy has worked for this company for almost 20 years. (You would think he would clearly understand whatever policy they have by now.) And the only thing that he's really succeeded in doing is putting himself squarely on the company's radar.

The general manager had no idea what the specific company policy is and promised to ask corporate for a ruling. I promise you corporate is going to give him an answer and I suspect this guy is not going to like the answer that they give.

I am positive that he's going to be told that he may not have a weapon in his vehicle on company property and that he is subject to immediate termination should he be caught. Did I mention that there's a sign on the front gate that states that any vehicle that comes on property is subject to search?

This scenario comes up frequently on gun forums and this situation that's going on is the primary reason that I always advocate keeping your mouth shut.

Nobody that I work with even knows I own a gun. They certainly have no reason to suspect that there might be one in my car. Should my vehicle ever be searched and should they ever find a gun in my vehicle I can claim ignorance because the general manager didn't even know for sure what the policy was.

So I said all that to again say that you're better off not discussing your personal life at work. You're better off not asking questions that don't need to be asked especially questions that you won't like the answer to.

 

[DukeConnor]

Coming soon......No Gun signs on the gates

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Coming soon......No Gun signs on the gates

I'm almost positive you're right

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I'm almost positive you're right

We are fortunate here in FL, state law specifically prohibits employers from banning weapons on company property if they are in your personal vehicle. Our company amended the employee handbook last year to include this, although they doubled down on the prohibition on concealed carry on their premises.

This was prompted by the owners finally becoming aware that the former general manager kept a .50 Desert Eagle in his desk drawer for, like, 3 years.....

 

[Striker]

We are fortunate here in FL, state law specifically prohibits employers from banning weapons on company property if they are in your personal vehicle.

Same in Ohio.

 

[huntsman]

Don’t ask don’t tell ala Sergeant Schultz

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

So I got to work tonight and as I was clocking in I heard two client employees having a discussion.

The facility where I work at has gunbuster signs on the building but not on the entrance gate to the grounds. The only thing on the main gate is a sign that says it any vehicle entering the facility is subject to search.

So apparently, one of the employees saw the signs on the building (that have been there forever) and decided to go inform the general manager he has a concealed handgun permit and wants to know if he can keep a gun in his car or is that not allowed by company policy.

This guy has worked for this company for almost 20 years. (You would think he would clearly understand whatever policy they have by now.) And the only thing that he's really succeeded in doing is putting himself squarely on the company's radar.

The general manager had no idea what the specific company policy is and promised to ask corporate for a ruling. I promise you corporate is going to give him an answer and I suspect this guy is not going to like the answer that they give.

I am positive that he's going to be told that he may not have a weapon in his vehicle on company property and that he is subject to immediate termination should he be caught. Did I mention that there's a sign on the front gate that states that any vehicle that comes on property is subject to search?

This scenario comes up frequently on gun forums and this situation that's going on is the primary reason that I always advocate keeping your mouth shut.

Nobody that I work with even knows I own a gun. They certainly have no reason to suspect that there might be one in my car. Should my vehicle ever be searched and should they ever find a gun in my vehicle I can claim ignorance because the general manager didn't even know for sure what the policy was.

So I said all that to again say that you're better off not discussing your personal life at work. You're better off not asking questions that don't need to be asked especially questions that you won't like the answer to.

The short answer, He is insecure.
A lot of people need constant guidance, can't make decisions and even fear their own freedom.

 

[John_R]

If the general manager didn't know the policy, a 20-year employee can't be expected to know. Now they all will, and yeah it's not likely to be what they wanted.

It's a shame that honest law abiding people have to hide in the shadows.

 

[buck460XVR]

.

I am positive that he's going to be told that he may not have a weapon in his vehicle on company property and that he is subject to immediate termination should he be caught. Did I mention that there's a sign on the front gate that states that any vehicle that comes on property is subject to search?

This scenario comes up frequently on gun forums and this situation that's going on is the primary reason that I always advocate keeping your mouth shut.

So then, why would you not want to know if something in your car could cost you your job? Asking about company policy to ensure you employment, to me, would seem to be much more prudent than shruggin' it off and having to go home and tell your wife and kids you lost your job because of ignorance. His asking, while it may put him on their radar, may help out others when company policy is more clearly defined. The guy has more guts than those who would rather play Ostrich and stick their heads in the sand. Sticking your head in the sand is not going to stop a random search and dismissal if you are violating company policy. There's no reason gun owners have to be afraid or ashamed of gun ownership.......unless of course, they are intentionally, or ignorantly, violating federal, state, or local laws and/or company policy.

 

[edwardware]

Knowing should not require asking. Baring gross negligence on the employer's part, the employees can read the Rules for themselves, and then make their own risk assessment.

Asking, instead of looking for yourself, certainly puts you on a short list.

 

[Hokkmike]

So then, why would you not want to know if something in your car could cost you your job? Asking about company policy to ensure you employment, to me, would seem to be much more prudent than shruggin' it off and having to go home and tell your wife and kids you lost your job because of ignorance. His asking, while it may put him on their radar, may help out others when company policy is more clearly defined. The guy has more guts than those who would rather play Ostrich and stick their heads in the sand. Sticking your head in the sand is not going to stop a random search and dismissal if you are violating company policy. There's no reason gun owners have to be afraid or ashamed of gun ownership.......unless of course, they are intentionally, or ignorantly, violating federal, state, or local laws and/or company policy.

I think the point is that what is not prohibited may be permissible or at least not immediate cause for firing. A warning first maybe? Now, because of the inquiry, it may be codified and further restrict a persons right to at have their EDC in their car. You can not violated an unstated company policy.

 

[GAF]

Don`t ask don`t tell is not a good way to run one`s life most of the time.
You can`t claim ignorance because someone else does not know the rules.
The signs on the gate and the building give a clear warning and if one wants
to read between the lines or perhaps there is a grey area in your thinking then asking questions are in order. IMHO

When your head is in the sand the other end of you is exposed to trouble.

 

[AlexanderA]

Nobody that I work with even knows I own a gun. They certainly have no reason to suspect that there might be one in my car. Should my vehicle ever be searched and should they ever find a gun in my vehicle I can claim ignorance because the general manager didn't even know for sure what the policy was.

So I said all that to again say that you're better off not discussing your personal life at work. You're better off not asking questions that don't need to be asked especially questions that you won't like the answer to.

This attitude of the "disappearing gun owner" is becoming more and more prevalent. (I have to say that I don't fault you at all.) This is a cultural shift. Gun owners are putting themselves underground, for social reasons, but the long-term result is the same as if guns were outlawed, and gun owners went underground for penal reasons. Sad to say, having guns is rapidly becoming as socially unacceptable as smoking. Ever notice that TV shows and movies never show people smoking any more? You'll know that the cultural shift on guns is complete when they no longer have a central role in movies and shows.

 

[buck460XVR]

I think the point is that what is not prohibited may be permissible or at least not immediate cause for firing. A warning first maybe? Now, because of the inquiry, it may be codified and further restrict a persons right to at have their EDC in their car. You can not violated an unstated company policy.

...and how do you know it's unstated? Odds are, if a company has a policy and has informed folks their cars may be searched for specific prohibited items.......don't you think they would specify which items those are? Or do you think they are going to search vehicles just for ships and giggles? Again, ignorance is not going to get you a free pass. Do you think getting a warning is not going to put you on company radar? Unfortunately, folks don't always read employee handbooks, nor do they read the new ones when they are updated. Where I work we get updates on the company handbooks about every two moths via e-mail. We have to reply that we have read and understand the changes. Most folks just automatically press the reply key and move on without even reading. Ignorance is never an excuse. Having company policy verified is not a bad thing, if and when the policy is vague. Odds are, the policy in this scenario is not as vague as we are led to believe.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

This attitude of the "disappearing gun owner" is becoming more and more prevalent. (I have to say that I don't fault you at all.) This is a cultural shift. Gun owners are putting themselves underground, for social reasons, but the long-term result is the same as if guns were outlawed, and gun owners went underground for penal reasons. Sad to say, having guns is rapidly becoming as socially unacceptable as smoking. Ever notice that TV shows and movies never show people smoking any more? You'll know that the cultural shift on guns is complete when they no longer have a central role in movies and shows.

I don't doubt that's true in places but I see the opposite where I live.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

"Why Would You Even Ask This Question"

Some people are stupid. What possible reason would your employer ever have to search your vehicle unless you put yourself on the watch list?

He's asking a question for a scenario that will never occur. If they do in fact change signs, since he put himself and really all the employees on the radars of management/corporate, I may leave my gun home for awhile if I were you. I could see them using the policy change as a reason to search EVERYONE's vehicle.

Sorry you work with a big mouth.

If you have a mounted lock box, do they have the power to force you to open that up? I would think that would be grounds for a legal suit. Maybe not. I'm not legally wise on that type of a situation.

I work with a large group of hunters, outdoors people, and in a very gun friendly state. There are extremely strict gun policies in place and signs on all the doors prohibiting firearms. The parking lot is fair game though and I have no doubt that 30% or more may have firearms in their vehicles.

 

[bassjam]

I'm almost positive you're right

Check your state laws, Colorado may protect workers who keep their firearms in their vehicles on company grounds. In that case your corporate offices can't do anything except defer to what the law says.

But I agree, it was pretty stupid for your co-worker to ask the question to begin with.

 

[buck460XVR]

Check your state laws, Colorado may protect workers who keep their firearms in their vehicles on company grounds. In that case your corporate offices can't do anything except defer to what the law says.

Google is your friend. Again, ignorance is never an excuse.
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandto...pages/guns-in-parking-lots-laws-by-state.aspx

 

[Theohazard]

The OP’s scenario reminds me of my school days. Sometimes the teacher would forget to assign homework, and if class ended before they remembered we wouldn’t have homework that night. But too often some annoying kid would raise their hand before class ended and remind the teacher that they forgot to assign homework.

The OP’s coworker is that kid.

 

[<*(((><]

I didn't read thoroughly through this link below for Colorado, but handgunlaw.us is a great resource for gun laws for individual states, I use it all the time.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/colorado.pdf

 

[drobs]

My company didn't control the parking lots but had a similar policy with security guards at the front door.
I took all the security guards shooting. Never had any problems.

 

[BSA1]

Your company employee handbook may answer questions about their policy.

A nearby large hospital policy prohibits employees from bringing guns into the building but allows employees to keep firearms secured in their personal vehicle when parked on hospital property.

A smarter question would be "What is the company policy on storing a firearm in my vehicle while it is parked in the company parking lot?" That way there is no admission of guilt.

 

[Browning]

Luckily here in TX companies are required to allow employees to store handguns in their vehicles.

https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00321F.pdf

http://texaschl.us/faq.htm#work

I also looked up the info in the company manual ahead of time and sent both a screen shot and an email of the statue to myself of the info and put it in a folder in my email.

At the time I thought that maybe I was being paranoid, but last year I had a supervisor overhear a conversation that I was having with another co-worker and he told me that I couldn't do that. I informed him that he was incorrect and told him that both state law and company policy were clear on the matter with a shrug. He kept on insisting that I still couldn't do that, so I pulled up the file I had and sent it to him on his phone.

I tried to be as nice as I could be about it, but there's only so many ways that you can tell someone that they're mistaken and even fewer ways to get them to like it.

Unfortunately I won't just play the part of the disappearing gun owner.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Look, after 20 years, and after going through the CHL process (presumably with some reasonable knowledge of where he can/can’t carry, the guy should have already had an idea. Or at least enough sense to keep his mouth shut if he chose to risk something that may or may not be kosher.

Sorry this happened where you work. But you are right. Learn what you can, evaluate risk, decide if its acceptable to you, and act accordingly, with the understanding there is no need to advertise. Basic.

 

[Steve S.]

Lots of people pursue attention and will pursue it anywhere they can. Facebook is loaded with people that need attention; the question asked got attention and a bonus bullseye.