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The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 12:27 am
by Bakeek
My boss (not the boss of the company) nearly brags about keeping his G23 in his desk, but then told me I can't wear mine. I want to tell him this exactly:

"So about that conversation we had about me carrying my CH. You can keep yours, and go postal possibly someday, and I am suppose to just let you do that when I was legally licensed to hold my own and protect myself and others?"

While it may be a far out statement, I just dont like the fact that he thinks he can tell me I cant wear my gun when he can just cause "he's the boss". I do plan on bringing it up with him at the right time. Any ideas for telling him I think his policy is bull?

He also is/was a CHL instructor and former Marine pilot...just some background info on the guy.

I really dont care if I cause an issue that causes my termination...theres nothing in the company handbooks that says I can't carry unless I am flying, I am a pilot who flies internationally.

Any ideas for tactfully telling him that if he can carry then I can also?

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 12:51 am
by apostate
Bakeek wrote:While it may be a far out statement, I just dont like the fact that he thinks he can tell me I cant wear my gun when he can just cause "he's the boss". I do plan on bringing it up with him at the right time. Any ideas for telling him I think his policy is bull?
If the boss leaves work early on Fridays, that doesn't necessarily mean everyone is allowed to leave early. It may not be fair, but that's life. If it bothers you enough, find another job and then you are free to tell him anything you like. ;-)
Bakeek wrote:I really dont care if I cause an issue that causes my termination...theres nothing in the company handbooks that says I can't carry unless I am flying, I am a pilot who flies internationally.
There may be nothing in written policy but it sounds like you received oral notice.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:04 am
by Excaliber
Bakeek wrote:My boss (not the boss of the company) nearly brags about keeping his G23 in his desk, but then told me I can't wear mine. I want to tell him this exactly:

"So about that conversation we had about me carrying my CH. You can keep yours, and go postal possibly someday, and I am suppose to just let you do that when I was legally licensed to hold my own and protect myself and others?"

While it may be a far out statement, I just dont like the fact that he thinks he can tell me I cant wear my gun when he can just cause "he's the boss". I do plan on bringing it up with him at the right time. Any ideas for telling him I think his policy is bull?

He also is/was a CHL instructor and former Marine pilot...just some background info on the guy.

I really dont care if I cause an issue that causes my termination...theres nothing in the company handbooks that says I can't carry unless I am flying, I am a pilot who flies internationally.

Any ideas for tactfully telling him that if he can carry then I can also
?
Yes - don't.

As a wise colleague once pointed out to me, when it would feel really good to say something to get it off your chest, it is probably something you would regret saying if you said it.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:22 am
by OldCannon
"Concealed" means "Concealed."

Don't talk to anybody about you carrying. Ever. Obey the laws (which means you must disclose you are carrying to an LEO if you are asked in the course of their duties) and don't say nuttin.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:34 am
by Kythas
Excaliber wrote:As a wise colleague once pointed out to me, when it would feel really good to say something to get it off your chest, it is probably something you would regret saying if you said it.

Probably one of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:54 am
by C-dub
apostate wrote: There may be nothing in written policy but it sounds like you received oral notice.
:iagree:

It seems like your only recourse would be to go over his head to get permission. And depending on your attitude towards his attitude towards you carrying, when you ask for permission you could point out that he carries and keeps his gun in his desk and that you, being licensed, would like the same permission to carry. Since you have already been told no all they can do is say, no, again. They may not have given him permission, but that doesn't mean they will also give your permission.

I have a sneaky suspicion that's how things work at my company. In our hand book there is something like "LEO in the course of their duty or with written permission," but they say that no one can bring a gun inside. So, IDK :headscratch

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:35 am
by The Annoyed Man
OldCannon wrote:"Concealed" means "Concealed."

Don't talk to anybody about you carrying. Ever. Obey the laws (which means you must disclose you are carrying to an LEO if you are asked in the course of their duties) and don't say nuttin.
This.....but also....
apostate wrote:There may be nothing in written policy but it sounds like you received oral notice.
So now, even if you diligently practice "concealed is concealed," you're on notice and therefore in violation if you carry.

Since there is nothing in the employee manual against it, you should have carried and just kept it to yourself. However, since you fly internationally, have you considered the ramifications of bringing a gun into a foreign country?

Lastly, you may not care if you get fired, and federal law (used to, anyway) forbid a prospective employer from obtaining any information from your past employer except length of employment, salary, and information like that. They weren't even supposed to say if you quit or were terminated. But the truth is that HR people do share 'illicit" information, and you would effectively get yourself blackballed if you were fired for carrying a gun at work after having been given notice not to.

Oh....and your boss is a moron. What kind of idiot brags about the gun in his desk? What is he compensating for?

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:36 am
by RPB
C-dub wrote:
apostate wrote: There may be nothing in written policy but it sounds like you received oral notice.
:iagree:

It seems like your only recourse would be to go over his head to get permission. And depending on your attitude towards his attitude towards you carrying, when you ask for permission you could point out that he carries and keeps his gun in his desk and that you, being licensed, would like the same permission to carry. Since you have already been told no all they can do is say, no, again. They may not have given him permission, but that doesn't mean they will also give your permission.

I have a sneaky suspicion that's how things work at my company. In our hand book there is something like "LEO in the course of their duty or with written permission," but they say that no one can bring a gun inside. So, IDK :headscratch
Is this an example of the "Loose Lips sink Ships" saying?
Where there was no 30.06 sign, no policy forbidding carrying, and it's like going into a store and asking permission real loud if it's ok if I bring my gun inside "because their sign is wrong" or something so they really quickly say no guns allowed and now I got 30.06 oral notice?

If there was no policy against it, why would he tell you you couldn't if he didn't know you were licensed and how would he know you are licensed unless he was in your class ...

Generally forgiveness is easier to get than permission ...
Example:
Asking my EX-wife if I could stand under the mistletoe with someone else but her ...
don't stand under the mistletoe with anyone else but me
anyone else but me
anyone else but me ...
(I didn't, and wouldn't have ever, but it's a good example since the song popped into my head)

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:46 am
by Mel
There's an old saying;

"The boss might not always be right, but he's always the boss!"

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:12 am
by ffemt300
Kythas wrote:
Excaliber wrote:As a wise colleague once pointed out to me, when it would feel really good to say something to get it off your chest, it is probably something you would regret saying if you said it.

Probably one of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard.
Agreed. Im gonna remember that...

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:28 am
by Rrash
My father has always had a saying that goes something like, "...Whenever you get into an argument with a boss - it doesn't matter who's right - be ready to look for another job." It sucks that you can't carry and he can, but he has given you oral notice. You would be trespassing. If I were fortunate enough to have a boss that was also a CHL instructor, I would try going to the range with him, ask him gun questions, etc. Find a way to get along with him outside of work and see if that doesn't help things down the road. Assuming you guys get along somewhat, your love of firearms is a good common bond. Even if it didn't lead to his allowance to let you carry, it might even help you to get promoted.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:39 am
by 74novaman
That's the negative about working for someone else.....boss gets to make the rules.

Sorry.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:43 am
by RoyGBiv
Can your "Boss" give oral notice that sticks? Or does he also have to have "apparent authority to act for the owner" to do so?
PC 30.05
(2) “Notice” means:
(A) oral or written communication by the owner or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner;
IMO, if the "Boss" in this case is a low-level manager and there are 3 or 4 other people on site with greater authority, then it's possible the "Boss" does not have "authority to act for the owner".

Just because the Boss here has authority to act over the OP is not the same as having "authority to act for the owner".

Just my opinion. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:51 am
by mr surveyor
I'm trying to figure out the use of the term "boss" in the context used by the OP

Is this individual THE boss, or just the OP's immediate superior? Does this "boss" have the authority to make company policy?

The OP did seem to inducate that the "Boss" was not the top person in the company.

Re: The boss keeps a gun but I cant?!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:59 am
by fickman
C-dub wrote:It seems like your only recourse would be to go over his head to get permission. And depending on your attitude towards his attitude towards you carrying, when you ask for permission you could point out that he carries and keeps his gun in his desk and that you, being licensed, would like the same permission to carry. Since you have already been told no all they can do is say, no, again. They may not have given him permission, but that doesn't mean they will also give your permission.
:iagree:

"Hey, bossboss, boss is always talking about how he carries guns to work and keeps a Glock in his desk. If I have a concealed carry permit, I assume it's OK for me to do this as well as long as nobody ever sees it and it remains concealed. I'm looking out for the safety of all of us! Thanks, bossboss."

See how that goes. :mrgreen:

You could get permission.
You could get refused and see your boss lose permission.
You could get refused and see your boss lose permissions and subsequently have it out for you.
You could get refused and see your boss get fired.
You could get fired.
You could get fired and see your boss get fired.
You could see your boss get fired and see yourself in the the boss' chair, with or without permission for your own case.