Weapons @ Work

[Land of the Living]

I just took my CHL on Saturday and was hoping someone could clarify about carrying at work. I work for a private corporation and I understand that in the end, it is ultimately up to the employer. I am going to post our policy on here and hope that someone might be able to tell me anything other than the obvious.

706 CONCEALED WEAPONS IN THE WORKPLACE

XXX recognizes that Texas has enacted a concealed law. However, no employee may carry a concealed handgun on XXX's premises. XXX is committed to providing a safe working environment for all its employees and observing the safety laws of both the federal government and the states where we are located. However, safety is also the responsibility of each employee. Therefore, you are requested to do everything reasonable and necessary to make each of our facilities a safe place in which to work.

In order to continue to provide a safe working environment, all firearms or weapons of any type, concealed or unconcealed, are prohibited on XXX's premises. Any violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of employment. Managemnt determines what is considered "a weapon of any type."

If I am readying this right, I would not be able to store a handgun in my vehicle at work. If anyone has any advice, remarks, etc...I'd be much obliged.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum.

You are right. No firearms, ammunition, knives, clubs, chain saws, hammers, or anything that might get management's panties in a wad.

In reality, they are only concerned with firearms and ammunition.

Usually this kind of rule is accompanied by a rule that you must permit a search of your person, effects, and vehicle upon demand, or be fired on the spot.

According to what you provided, you would not be subject to a successful criminal prosecution. However, you could be arrested.

Some categories of employer such as power plants have special criminal trespass rules that can cause problems beyond 30.06 criminal trespass with a firearm.

Not that you asked, but I heard today on Tom Gresham's gun talk that some employers (U.S.P.S. and Sears were mentioned) are considering any discussion of firearms at work to be a potential threat.

- Jim

[agbullet2k1]

So to summarize: We recognize the law. We want to follow the states law for the sake of safety. We want to make our own rules that go against what the state has said is safe.

Sounds pretty typical.

[seamusTX]

This is typical corporate double-speak.

I actually got a letter from a now-defunct cable company that said, in order to serve you better, we are closing our Galveston office (where I live). Our office in Texas City will be available 9 to 5 Monday through Friday, etc., blah-blah-blah.

Do they teach this stuff in college somewhere?

- Jim

[KRM45]

However, safety is also the responsibility of each employee. Therefore, you are requested to do everything reasonable and necessary to make each of our facilities a safe place in which to work.

This seems to me to contradict the rest of it. If I am responsible for my own safety, and the safety of our facility I should be able to use everything "reasonable and necesary" to ensure that...

[seamusTX]

We are talking here about people who checked their brains at that door.

- Jim

[3dfxMM]

You could also be legally at risk if they read this to you during an orientation session.

[SCone]

Easy solution...... park next door.

[seamusTX]

That is not always an option. Many plants have guarded parking lots far from the public road, and there is no parking on the public road.

All the petrochemical facilities in Texas City are like that.

- Jim

[CHLSteve]

Easy solution...... park next door.

And that wouldn't get any attention either.

Personally, I would either leave it at home, or bring it in my car and never ever ever show it, talk guns, CHL, or anything shooting related ever. If they never suspect you as a "gun person" you'll be fine. As soon as you slip, they may start sniffing around. Trust NONE of your coworkers with this secret.

[seamusTX]

Don't discount the possibility of the company bringing in police with "drug and gun-sniffing" dogs (which I am very skeptical about). Many people have been fired and arrested on that basis.

Definitely keep your lips zipped until your manager talks about having a CHL or shooting IDPA or IPSC, or something similar. Then continue to be diplomatic.

- Jim

[boomerang]

Don't discount the possibility of the company bringing in police with "drug and gun-sniffing" dogs (which I am very skeptical about). Many people have been fired and arrested on that basis.

Do they alert on powder? It sounds like a ripe opportunity to plant some red herrings.

I agree with you on the importance of OPSEC. Loose lips sink careers.

[atxgun]

Easy solution...... park next door.

And that wouldn't get any attention either.

Personally, I would either leave it at home, or bring it in my car and never ever ever show it, talk guns, CHL, or anything shooting related ever. If they never suspect you as a "gun person" you'll be fine. As soon as you slip, they may start sniffing around. Trust NONE of your coworkers with this secret.

The first rule of CHL: NEVER talk about CHL funny yet accurate at the same time.

[anygunanywhere]

Don't discount the possibility of the company bringing in police with "drug and gun-sniffing" dogs (which I am very skeptical about). Many people have been fired and arrested on that basis.

Definitely keep your lips zipped until your manager talks about having a CHL or shooting IDPA or IPSC, or something similar. Then continue to be diplomatic.

- Jim

I have witnessed the gun sniffing dogs in action in Kentucky at a refinery.

I do not know what they hit on.

They busted some hunters that brought their rifles in the refinery.

Anygunanywhere

[seamusTX]

I don't know what they alert on, either. That's why I am suspicious about whether they are accurate.

- Jim