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I had a talk with our HR director this afternoon. I've been lobbying him to revise the employee policy to permit employees with concealed handgun permits to exercise their legal rights while at work. He generally agrees with me but thinks the battle to change the policy will be too hard and will not succeed.
My basic arguments are:
1. Carrying a weapon to defend yourself is a natural and legal right, and should not be limited by you location. I have as much right to defend myself while at work as I do when I am at home, out to eat, etc.
2. Our policy forbids weapons left in cars. This essentially disarms employees from the time they leave for work in the morning until they get home. This is too far-reaching.
3. It is irrational to think that concealed carry is a good idea in public but somehow becomes a bad idea once you pass through the doors of your workplace.
4. We have no security here, and even when we did they were only armed with walkie-talkies. So we have no defense at all.
5. I should not have to risk losing my job to exercise my right to self defense.
At one point I asked him what we would do if someone came in and started shooting up the place. His answer was basically "maybe someone would tackle him and stop him". I told him he better have a line of people to jump on the shooter, and I won't be the first in line.
After much discussion, his implied position was "don't ask, don't tell" - but of course he couldn't come right out and say that. He did say that he knows many people disregard the policy and have guns in their cars. And then he said "I can't say what I wish I could tell you", which I took to mean that I should feel free to disregard the policy too. But I don't think I should have to choose between risking my livelihood and providing for my self defense.
It was a friendly discussion and he agreed to raise the issue to his superiors. I left him with something I'd typed up. I doubt anything will come of it, but it doesn't hurt to try.
Posted by Robert at April 18, 2002 02:05 PM