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G.C. -- I think you're reading it right, but as with most law, it appears to be ambiguous. Keywords there would be "primary responsibility" and "capacity". Not sure that it would hold very strongly as a defense in court. But, wouldn't it be the company whom the charges would be pressed against, not the individual employee?

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.. I consider this a very important issue, and since my brother-in-law really isn't a 'gun guy', my words could be what ultimately sways him to act one way or another, and I want to be sure that he makes a responsible and sound decision based on what's best for his safety. I agree there was some CYA there as far as the manager's instructions not to draw. As long as the manager's job is safe, I guess that's all that matters, right? The idea of patrolling security guards isn't so far-fetched, but his store seems a little low-risk for that, due to the type of business. However, some crime is just unpredictable.

For some reason, the modus operandi of the criminals in Killeen is always way out there. Occasionally a place gets robbed, but more often, you'll hear of a random place getting robbed, a defenseless employee [or two] shot execution style, and even last July a pawn store owner's wife was robbed, then stabbed multiple times and the entire building he set on fire before fleeing out the back door. It's really hard to find a motive without doing some digging. That's why everyone must stay on their toes, because it can happen anytime, whether you sell socks, jewelry, guns, or car parts.

It doesn't help that the police force is terribly undermanned.

Great thoughts and ideas, everyone!

Yes, another "carrying at work" topic -- here it is:

In my area in the past month, there have been two murders, one a double-murder at a Dollar General store in which both employees were executed two hours before store opening, in cold blood. The $50 the scumbag garnered was not the motive. The second was in a neighbourhood very close to this particular dollar store, and also close to my brother-in-law's place of employment. The victim of this second murder just happened to come into his store hours before the shooting. He took some lug nuts, then left his driver's license and a blank check on the store's counter. How about that?

My brother-in-law is a manager at the Auto Zone nearby, and due to these recent events, the GM is revising the policy for this store to allow their employees to open carry a loaded firearm while they are on duty. The condition is that they CANNOT draw their weapon, because in his words, "if they were to shoot someone, it would fall back on Auto Zone and the company would be held liable." I understand not being able to draw their weapon to show their friends or pop out the barrel for oiling, but for self-defense and possible preservation of life?

The word "asinine" comes to mind. My brother wants a CHL, but I told him that with written permission from the GM to carry, he does not need a CHL to carry openly at work. The gray areas in that option? Traveling to and from work, and maybe forgetting the weapon was in his car sometime while he was running an errand.. under the most untimely of circumstances, he may end up with a UCW. Also, even on Auto Zone's turf outside maybe checking someone's oil, carrying openly, the LEOs could possibly have something to say about that. However, I think due to it being private property, he can legally open-carry outside just as he can inside.

That being said, I told him this: carrying a weapon for intimidation will get you killed. That's point blank and period. If it's not for safety, and you aren't "allowed" to draw your weapon under any circumstances, then don't carry it, because it is worthless in that case and will do more harm than good. If a robber wants to hurt someone, he's going for the guy with the gun on his waist in plain view first and foremost. [The criminals around here shoot someone almost every time, as if money were never the purpose of the robbery.]

If I am carrying a loaded weapon, I am going to be fully prepared to use deadly force should it become necessary, regardless of the store's policy on handguns. If it comes down to my life or my job at an auto parts store, which will I choose every time?

It sounds like they are setting their employees up for failure, and I am going to discourage him from carrying a weapon openly. On the other hand, I am going to push him to get his CHL and carry concealed, therefore being compliant with store policy AND state law, as well as inconspicuously protecting himself and his fellow co-workers if it were to become necessary.

Any thoughts about my thoughts? The policy? Am I giving him the right advice here?