So … this happened. The company I work for leases one story of one end of a very large (think city block large) two-story building. We have been the sole occupants for a couple of years when suddenly the state supreme court moves in at the opposite end of the building while their building is being remodeled. That was about a year ago. I had trouble then getting answers if I could still legally carry at work since there is a court on the opposite end of the building. The only answer I got from attorneys was to see if they designated the entire building a court facility or not. Well, I didn’t want to do that because that could risk my employer finding out I carry, which could be OK or not, I’d rather just keep it private.
So I quit carrying while inside the building just to be safe. Now, beginning next week FEMA is going to occupy the rest of the building! I’m pretty sure the building will be considered a federal facility since they will occupy the majority of it. I’m wondering though if I can still keep my weapon in my vehicle while at work? If not I guess I could start parking in the next parking lot over but I like having my vehicle right outside where I can get to it in a few seconds if I needed to.
Hi Kevin29 and Cobra. The employee handbook states that no weapons are allowed on the premises, however, I’m on the safety committee and a while ago (before the pandemic hit and our office was at full staff, our HR manager told us that there are employees who conceal carry but she wasn’t allowed to tell us who. That was before I had my conceal carry license. So I assume they are probably all right with it on a case by case basis. For now I’m only working int he office two days a week so it’s not that big of a problem but once we start working full-time int he office it might become a problem for me if I want to keep carrying. I live out of town so I like to carry while I’m on the road on my daily commute.
If the building occupied now by the courts and FEMA is to be considered “hallowed ground” they will usually post an armed detail at the entrances along with metal detectors. Ours even makes you remove your belt.
On the other hand, you definitely need to determine what your work policy is on armed employees. Any type of concealed carry insurance or such may be void if it was determined that you were in the wrong for carrying against policy.
With that said, a gun left in the car is useless. Just my 2 cents.
@James514, if the employee handbook states firearms are NOT allowed, simply having someone in HR say some do, does not change the employee handbook.
Perhaps you should seek to change the handbook, to allow firearms concealed on premises. Some companies allow concealed but not open, or you can keep it secured in your vehicle while at work.
@Cobra, your input? Would you trust an HR rep stating some carry concealed regardless of the employee handbook and think you are safe?
Thanks everyone for your advice and insights. I think for now I’ll just leave my pistol at home on the days I work in the office. that seems to be the prudent thing to do. Wouldn’t want to get a unlawful firearms charge and possibly face jail time. And I don’t like the idea of possibly not being covered legally if something did happen at work.
I am not familiar with the laws or OR but a great many states have a provision that you can have your CCW in your car in the company lot. Not as good as having it on you but given the vagaries you are facing it’s better than nothing. Once again you will have to check local ordinances .
DO NOT TRUST HR WORD OF MOUTH.
If firearms are SPECIFICALLY banned on the premises in the employee handbook then that is the rule which will get you fired. As above, some states state that an employer cannot restrict you from your 2A rights in a company owned/leased parking lot if secured in your personally owned private vehicle. If you drive a company car then you are SOL.
I’m not even going to broach the topic of running out to your car to grab your stick if something happened inside the work place.
I understand that violating the handbook gets you fired. Some carry anyway, different reasoning I guess. So the question is the law. Fine? Jail? Or company just lets you go & goodbye?
Where I work here in Missouri carrying, concealed or otherwise, is against company policy and is grounds for termination if you do. We do have a few employees that carry with permission of the owners and/or HR. I think the simplest and safest thing employment wise would be to see if you could get official permission. Those at my work that carry are part of the ‘safety team’ and may be required to assist if needed. I have permission and the only thing I have been asked to help with was lock doors when an employee spouse was trying to get in after a domestic dispute and harm was feared. At worst they tell you know you can’t carry. We do allow employees to keep their firearms in their vehicles.
