Conceal Carry/Workplace dilemma

[andrewg]

Ok...here is my question. My workplace, like most, forbids any employee from carrying a firearm or even a long knife of any kind. Ok, no problem I say (even though it is a warehouse and box knives are everywhere). My area of conern is that even in the parking lot, which is part of the company property, the same rules apply. So even if I wanted to have available a firearm or knife for personal protection on the way to work or on the way home, it would be in violation and I would be subject to termination. It's a difficult situation as I see many possible scenarios during my commute that could involve a need for me to protect myself ( assaulted and robbed while getting gasoline, a late night stop at an all-night market in the midst of a robbery, a car jacking attempt, etc.) I am at a loss as to what to do. I don't even want to think about losing my job, yet I certainly feel that keeping a firearm in my personal vehicle is of danger to no one.
Any suggestions?

 

[defektes]

carry your weapon concealed and dont go showing it off. Keep it in your locker during work hours?

 

[addyguy]

Man, you American's really ARE paranoid, aren't you?

Seriously, you'd never hear a conversation like this in Canada - we kinda assume we are safe going about our daily life.

You don't REALLY believe this is a day-in, day out danger, do you???

 

[Steve S]

There is a whole lot of real bad people in the USA. A whole druggie and gang oriented class. Buy some pepper spray? Addyguy, If you ever come to visit here I will bring you to some of the not so good areas and drop you off and see if you make it out of the area "alive"

 

[HK_Ace]

I think Amercans do because they have to freedom to. It is easy to justify and nothing wrong with it. Most Socialist countries would never give their citizens the right to bear arms....they would rather tax you at 50% and give you rationed meds. I should know- I come from one.

I say keep it locked in your glove compartment

 

[SWSportsman]

Unfortunately, it sounds like you're going to have to decide whether your job is more important than your safety. I'd keep it secured in my vehicle and keep my mouth shut.

 

[SWSportsman]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Man, you American's really ARE paranoid, aren't you?

Seriously, you'd never hear a conversation like this in Canada - we kinda assume we are safe going about our daily life.

You don't REALLY believe this is a day-in, day out danger, do you???


You "kinda assume" you are safe???

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/1/24/150547.shtml

http://www.essaynetworks.com/2010/02/02/the-rise-of-violent-crime-in-canada/

http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2758651

http://sportsmansblog.com/2008/05/14/heres-why-i-car/

http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/06/10/30/editor.htm

Canada doesn't sound so safe to me! You want to be the wolf or the sheep?

 

[Spazdog]

How dangerous is your workplace?

I used to work a few hundred yards from the Hatcher E.Dallas Projects.

I was more worried about the "What 'chew doin' here white boy? What kinda' drugs you buying? He's got a CCW!" from the Police than I was about anybody in the workplace or area residents.

Weapon was secured in my vehicle on workplace premises.

BTW: once all the cops got to know me, my car, and that I was there for legitimate reasons, they did not bother me again.

 

[Brian Barnhart]

If you leave it in your vehicle cased and out of sight in the glovebox or under a seat, what is the likelihood that it would be discovered?

I would never consider a person as carrying a firearm at work if never leaves the case in their vehicle. Nor would I consider a firearm on company property if it remains cased in the private property (vehicle) of an employee. But I have little doubt employers, or people with badges or gavels would disagree.

 

[FL_Rob]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Man, you American's really ARE paranoid, aren't you?

Seriously, you'd never hear a conversation like this in Canada - we kinda assume we are safe going about our daily life.

You don't REALLY believe this is a day-in, day out danger, do you???

Wow, It must be nice to have NO crime in Canada.

 

[SuperDave456]

I have a CCW and so do many of my coworkers. We don't say much about it, but we have noticed that nothing is said about them in any employee handbook.

It is Concealed for a reason. Keep it that way until you need it.

When I was dating I would carry, my girlfriend (now my wife) didn't know until I told her. It is a Concealed Carry License, if you are sneaky and keep it that way you should be good.

If you work at an anti-gun workplace just make sure you don't get caught by your employer, and don't violate any laws. Personally I would start looking for a new job if I were you. Constitutional Rights are something I take very dearly, and the 2nd Amendment is just as important as the 1st.

 

[Bruce T]

Absolutely do not carry a gun concealed if your workplace forbids it, or you could lose your job.

What about your vehicle? Does your company EVER search employee vehicles? Do the parked vehicles ever get broken into and have items stolen? If the answer to both questions is "No," then it's probably OK -- but use your best judgment about how strictly your company will enforce this policy if you get caught.

If the answer to either question is "Yes" or it's a hardline policy, then do not keep a gun in your vehicle. Keep the gun at home, and either go home and get it before running errands (often not practical) or proceed cautiously while unarmed. Many of us are in the exact same situation, and only have a CCW available nights and weekends.

 

[drive4show]

We have a sign in our lobby: "No firearms allowed beyond this point." We always thought this meant that visitors are supposed to check in firearms with the receptionist when they sign in for their visitor badges.

It's an interesting OP.... You might want to ask HR what the policy is on firearms in the workplace, with your follow-up question: What happens if I have a weapon on my person when I enter the premises/parking lot? Maybe they already have been asked that question before, and have a policy....

 

[RANDYZ]

I would keep it secured in a lock box in the car during the day and just tell NO ONE about it.

Just like when I drop my son off at school and I am armed. Legal, no. But I'm not going to leave my weapon at home just to drop him off at school before I head to work. Now mind you I would never get out of my car on school property with it but technically even having in the parking lot is illegal.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Check your state laws. Here in Utah it is against the law for an employer to prevent you from placing your weapon in your vehicle if you have an CCW. They can prevent you at work (in the building or while performing duties) but in YOUR vehicle in THEIR lot is legal.

I know of other states that have this too. The AOL case is what got Utah's passed.

Bill

 

[Solo2driver]

I'd keep it concealed and don't discuss it...I'd say that's how 99% of "us" get it done. I'd rather be an alive "outlaw" than a dead person if the situation became critical enough to require the use of a firearm in a defensive situation. The general rule with Concealed Carry is to do it ALWAYS.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Man, you American's really ARE paranoid, aren't you?

Seriously, you'd never hear a conversation like this in Canada - we kinda assume we are safe going about our daily life.

You don't REALLY believe this is a day-in, day out danger, do you???
Boy, are you wrong about this. I talk about concealed carry as much as I can and you would be surprised as to how many people here are in favor of it. There are 7 million gun owners here in Canada, so, how can you figure a conversation like that would never happen here? Please don't make blanket statements like this, it only serves to promote a very wrong stereotype of Canadians.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Check your state laws. Here in Utah it is against the law for an employer to prevent you from placing your weapon in your vehicle if you have an CCW. They can prevent you at work (in the building or while performing duties) but in YOUR vehicle in THEIR lot is legal.

I know of other states that have this too. The AOL case is what got Utah's passed.

Bill

I will check the laws and see how it pertains to my private vehicle. I dare not ask my employer anything as this may promote a search or label me as somebody to 'watch'. Some cars here have been broken into....and that worries me.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Man, you American's really ARE paranoid, aren't you?

Seriously, you'd never hear a conversation like this in Canada - we kinda assume we are safe going about our daily life.

You don't REALLY believe this is a day-in, day out danger, do you???

No...not paranoid at all. I just believe in the Second amendment and having a right to defend and protect myself and family from danger. Nothing strange about that or indicative of feeling unsafe all the time. You don't feel a need to be armed....EVER? Not even in the worst parts of town? Do Canadians NEVER harm each other nor commit violent crimes? I would find that difficult to swallow.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
I have a CCW and so do many of my coworkers. We don't say much about it, but we have noticed that nothing is said about them in any employee handbook.

It is Concealed for a reason. Keep it that way until you need it.

When I was dating I would carry, my girlfriend (now my wife) didn't know until I told her. It is a Concealed Carry License, if you are sneaky and keep it that way you should be good.

If you work at an anti-gun workplace just make sure you don't get caught by your employer, and don't violate any laws. Personally I would start looking for a new job if I were you. Constitutional Rights are something I take very dearly, and the 2nd Amendment is just as important as the 1st.

I certainly take my rights very seriously....but as you must know in a private workplace our rights can be subject to the property owner.