TexasCHLforum.com

So I work for an employer who has a 30.06 sign at one entrance to the building, and has language in the employee manual that states that possession of a gun by an employee is grounds for dismissal.

Now one might think, "you can just leave your gun in your car" which would be fine except I ride my bicycle to work every day. I carry a messenger bag with my laptop and other things in it when on my bike.

Is there any legal way to secure a firearm when I get to work that would not either expose me to potential charges of criminal trespass for carrying past a 30.06 sign, or put me at risk of getting fired?

I presume the answer is "no" and as far as I can tell, there is no way for me to do this unless I drive my car.

I'm not talking about carrying on my person in a holster, but more like, locked up inside my bag, or maybe in my locker at the office.

I would have to say that unless you can figure out a way to put a safe on your bike then it would be a no to your question. And at this time, I can not think of how to put a safe on a bike and it not look like a safe on the bike.

chewy555 wrote:I would have to say that unless you can figure out a way to put a safe on your bike then it would be a no to your question. And at this time, I can not think of how to put a safe on a bike and it not look like a safe on the bike.

mr.72 wrote: I'm not talking about carrying on my person in a holster, but more like, locked up inside my bag, or maybe in my locker at the office.

There is no difference between carrying in a holster or bag. If it wasn't for the 30.06 sign, the worst thing that could happen is a termination of employment. But, since there is a sign there.........

Well the bike is stored inside the building so even storing it on the bike wouldn't work. Plus the bike, if stored outside, would be a huge theft risk anyway.

I have a friend and shooting partner who works for a very large chain store that has locations all over most major cities and operates from very early to very late, midnight. The building and parking lot is not posted 30:06 but the company has a stated policy in the employee handbook of no weapons even in employee’s cars when they are parked on the lot. This particular location has been the site of at least 3 armed robberies over the past 3 years.

I made a suggestion to my friend to have several of the employees that have CHL to approach management to ask for either secure storage of CHL weapons on the property or for the company to provide armed escort to employee vehicles after dark thirty. The result is that the company is at least giving serious consideration to both ideas at this time. I do not know what will happen but it will be clear in the event that one of the employee’s is harmed by anyone in the parking lot that the company was given prior notice of the problem and the concerns of their workers. If they choose to do nothing, they may be leaving themselves wide open to a large civil suit. That is probably why they are giving serious consideration to the proposals.

A similar proposal to your employer might allow you to at least carry on your trip to and from work. On the other hand, it might also limit your upward movement at this company. After you disclose the fact that you have a CHL, the company might decide that you are not the type of individual that they want to employ.

Well, this is a very big company based in California. The employee manual and policies are consistent for every locality including several different states. I am certain that I am not the first to question their anti-CHL policy and also I am certain that they are completely inflexible in this area.

What we need is some protection of a container for private property other than just one's home or car.

I had considered something like a pistol safe carried in my bag, which could be used to lock up the gun before I enter the building. This would only be of any use if that container were immune from any kind of search.

Maybe what we need are airport-type rules. That is, you can carry concealed in any area not posted 30.06, and you can carry your weapon in a secured fashion anywhere, under any circumstances, such as in a hard-side case with a lock, as you can in your checked baggage at the airport.

As it is, it looks like since my employer will not allow me to secure the gun on the premises, then I cannot effectively carry while on my ~1 hr each way bicycle commute.

mr.72 wrote:As it is, it looks like since my employer will not allow me to secure the gun on the premises, then I cannot effectively carry while on my ~1 hr each way bicycle commute.

Yep; I think you're correct. From what you describe, I'm frankly surprised that your employer's notice doesn't extend to the parking lot, as well.

High on the TSRA's agenda for the 2009 Texas legislative session will be once again trying to get the employee parking lot carry issue passed. Of course, even that won't help in your immediate situation. Depending upon your employer's policy about blades or OC spray, those may be your best alternatives; possibly something like Kimber's new OC propellant device. At least it would be better than nothing on the bike rides, and should be effective if you need to ward off any four-legged attackers who might be extremely attracted to those spinning spokes...

Could you lock it in a friend's car?

Find another job?

That's not real helpful, E10.

This is just the kind of scenario I envisioned when I argued before that businesses shouldn't be allowed to bar CHL holders from carrying.

If the bike being in the garage falls under the 30.06 sign then this probably won't help, but I'm assuming that your bike doesn't have hard-saddlebags that lock like an Ultra Classic or a Gold Wing. There is a company that makes saddlebags for nearly all types of bikes called Leatherlyke. They're not terribly cheap but they are lockable, hard bags. I'm actually going to buy these b/c my leather saddlebags are pretty much worn out, and I think they're rather nice. This would be equivalent to locking in a car, IMHO. Just a thought. Good luck on your predicament.

CodeJockey wrote:If the bike being in the garage falls under the 30.06 sign then this probably won't help, but I'm assuming that your bike doesn't have hard-saddlebags that lock like an Ultra Classic or a Gold Wing. There is a company that makes saddlebags for nearly all types of bikes called Leatherlyke. They're not terribly cheap but they are lockable, hard bags. I'm actually going to buy these b/c my leather saddlebags are pretty much worn out, and I think they're rather nice. This would be equivalent to locking in a car, IMHO. Just a thought. Good luck on your predicament.

He is not riding a motorcycle to work, its a bicycle. I have not seen saddlebags for a bicycle.

chewy555 wrote:He is not riding a motorcycle to work, its a bicycle. I have not seen saddlebags for a bicycle.

My apologies. This is why I should not post before 7am, or at least until I've had 2 cups of coffee first.

Well, should you decide to get a motorcycle, you've got a good source for saddlebags now!

chewy555 wrote:

CodeJockey wrote:If the bike being in the garage falls under the 30.06 sign then this probably won't help, but I'm assuming that your bike doesn't have hard-saddlebags that lock like an Ultra Classic or a Gold Wing. There is a company that makes saddlebags for nearly all types of bikes called Leatherlyke. They're not terribly cheap but they are lockable, hard bags. I'm actually going to buy these b/c my leather saddlebags are pretty much worn out, and I think they're rather nice. This would be equivalent to locking in a car, IMHO. Just a thought. Good luck on your predicament.

He is not riding a motorcycle to work, its a bicycle. I have not seen saddlebags for a bicycle.

You can actually buy saddle bags for bicycles, they are called Paniers.The are not secure or securable.