Employee self defense rights

Jan 2009
84
0
Puget Sound, Wa.
Fairfax, Va. – Today, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in support of allowing employees to store legally owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots. This decision upholds NRA-backed legislation passed in 2004.



“This is a victory for the millions of American workers who have been denied the right to protect themselves while commuting between their homes and their workplace,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. “This effort was aimed at skirting the will of the American people, and the intent of legislatures across this country while eviscerating Right-to-Carry laws. This ruling is a slap at the corporate elitists who have no regard for the constitutional rights of law abiding American workers.”



In March 2004, the Oklahoma legislature passed an amendment holding employers criminally liable for prohibiting employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles on company property. A number of corporations subsequently filed suit in opposition to the new laws, alleging they were: unconstitutionally vague; an unconstitutional taking of private property; and preempted by various federal statutes. The lower court ruled in favor of the injunction.



“This issue was contrived by the gun control lobby who goaded corporations into doing their dirty work for them,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “However, this ruling is a vindication for every hardworking and lawful man and woman whose basic right to self-defense was taken away on a whim by corporate lawyers. NRA is prepared to defend this right and to ensure the safety of every American worker.”



In October 2008, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals the lower court decision to strike down the NRA-backed worker protection laws. Today’s proceedings handed down by Circuit Judges Paul J. Kelly, Bobby R. Baldock, and Michael W. McConnell reversed the lower court’s grant of a permanent injunction.

NRA-ILA :: :devil:
 
Jan 2009
29
0
wa
i was involved in a incidence like this back a few years ago and was threatened with losing my job, but they eventually seen the light and it was all swept under the carpet.
 
Jan 2009
370
0
Washington
I think my company has a rule in the employee handbook about having firearms on company property.

Is this ruling a "national" ruling, or does it apply only in the area for which it took place?
 
Jan 2009
870
0
Lynnwood, WA
I think my company has a rule in the employee handbook about having firearms on company property.

Is this ruling a "national" ruling, or does it apply only in the area for which it took place?

I think my company has this policy too.

my previous company had a different kind of policy as my boss let me hunt on his land :lol:
 
Feb 2009
18
0
Somewhere
but does a company policy become moot if the law states differntly. Does anybody know what washington states law is?
 
Jun 2009
32
0
washington
Not sure what the legal vs company policy is, I really think that would come down to if your company owns the property or lease stating that the time they are there it is considered private property, it all gets so hazy. Either way I would not feel comfortable leaving my firearm in my vehicle. Even if it is conceal, car theft and break ins happen all the time, even at my work which is video survailed and has lot patrol. 10 hrs a night I don't have complete control over my weapon and that's makes me way to nervouse to leave it "hidden" in my car. This battle over leaving there personal weapons in their personal vehicle is moot anyways, by washington state law the only leagal way to do it is to have you CWP and have the weapon concealed in a locked car. If you don't have a CWP you can't (leagally) leave it there anyways. And if it is conceal (and you feel comfortable doing so) how would your company know its in there anyways. The real fight it to change company policy to let employees carry their sidearm with them at work. That's my personal fight at my job, I work in security and all I get is a little flashlight and a pair of cuffs. Keep up the good fight!
Lefdrgn
 
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