To and From Work...

[Ropin]

If I did ever ask, there's no way I'd have one in the truck that day!

Mamma didn't raise no fools...well, at least not this one.

[joe817]

If I did ever ask, there's no way I'd have one in the truck that day!

Mamma didn't raise no fools...well, at least not this one.

It would be self-inflicted employeecide if you did!

[dsim]

Im going to have to read up on this one as for some reason I recall my instructor stating that we could leave it in the car. His reasoning was that since the 'Castle' had been extended to your vehicle that the employer could prohibit you from carrying into the business (employer/employee agreement) but couldnt do anything if you left it in your vehicle, concealed of course.

[Keith B]

Im going to have to read up on this one as for some reason I recall my instructor stating that we could leave it in the car. His reasoning was that since the 'Castle' had been extended to your vehicle that the employer could prohibit you from carrying into the business (employer/employee agreement) but couldnt do anything if you left it in your vehicle, concealed of course.

Employers can fire you for anything. If you park on company owned property and they state in the employee manual that you can't have firearms on company property, then it is a fireable offense. If you have been given verbal notification or the written notification is the wording from 30.06, then you can be prosecuted for it.

BTW, the Castle Doctrine is not what allows you to have it in your car, but the Motorist Protection Act http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/ ... 01815I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pete92FS]

Im going to have to read up on this one as for some reason I recall my instructor stating that we could leave it in the car. His reasoning was that since the 'Castle' had been extended to your vehicle that the employer could prohibit you from carrying into the business (employer/employee agreement) but couldnt do anything if you left it in your vehicle, concealed of course.

Employers can fire you for anything. If you park on company owned property and they state in the employee manual that you can't have firearms on company property, then it is a fireable offense. If you have been given verbal notification or the written notification is the wording from 30.06, then you can be prosecuted for it.

BTW, the Castle Doctrine is not what allows you to have it in your car, but the Motorist Protection Act http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/ ... 01815I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would not want to test what your instructor said. If leaving one in your vehicle was covered either by the Castle Doctrine or the Motorist Protection Act there would be no need for the Parking Lot Bill. That's the reason everyone was hoping the Parking Lot Bill would pass.

[jsimmons]

I guess I don't have to point out the absurdity of "no guns in the car in company parking lot". Simply park on the street or somewhere else that is NOT company property. Besides, that, walking an extra 50 yards to get a gun to do havoc on company property is not that big a deal for someone that is angry/insane enough to want to do it in the first place.

Lastly, I successfully contested the "random search without a warrant" policy at a company I worked at. The lot was shared by other business, but more importantly, did not have controlled access. I had a reasonable expectation of privacy because the car was locked and I was the only person with the keys. They couldn't make me allow them to search my car - for any reason. They struck that policy (random search) from the employee manual. As a defense contractor, I often worked on a local base, which DOES have controlled access, and a sign posted at the gate stated that random security searches were conducted. Translation - I had no reasonable expectation of privacy, and therefore followed the no-guns in the car policy.

Further, being a programmer, there are many times that I work at home. They had a stated policy that firearms were not allowed when you were conducting company business (which technically I was doing when working from home). Well, when I'm working at home, where do they think my guns are? They had to at least modify that clause.

Texas gun laws are generally contradictory and absurd, and appear to be intentionally worded to confuse and befuddle the public.

[E10]

Become buddies with some of the corporate security guys. Find one or two who think like you, maybe even have CHLs themselves. Have a drink after work, go shooting with them, &c. Earn their trust - sometimes they're treated like bad guys, when they're usually just folks, tryin' to do their jobs. Show them you're a responsible gun owner. Maybe even get yourself deputized, cross-trained, or whatever, as backup security (that kinda stuff always looks good to management). THEN broach the subject of getting authoriztion, as allowed by company policy:

The handbook says, "No firearms or weapons are permitted on Company property, in Company vehicles, or in Corporate buildings unless authorized by Corporate Security. Where federal, state or local laws impose different or additional requirements, the Company will abide by governing law."

It may take a little time, but that's what comes from working within a large corporate organization. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Good luck.

Or, just park on the street. The extra walk may do you good.

[aardwolf]

They couldn't make me allow them to search my car - for any reason.

They can't force you but they can fire you for not allowing them to search your car.

Further, being a programmer, there are many times that I work at home. They had a stated policy that firearms were not allowed when you were conducting company business (which technically I was doing when working from home). Well, when I'm working at home, where do they think my guns are? They had to at least modify that clause.

No. They didn't have to. They can decide to modify the policy but they don't have to.

[wacc]

You need to find out if they own the parking lot. If not, you should be OK.

[ClarkLZeuss]

The handbook says, "No firearms or weapons are permitted on Company property, in Company vehicles, or in Corporate buildings unless authorized by Corporate Security. Where federal, state or local laws impose different or additional requirements, the Company will abide by governing law."

You know, one of the things I've always been curious to see someone press for in these situations is simply going up to Corporate Security and asking, "Can I have one of those forms that authorizes me to carry a firearm onto company property?" Is it bold? Yes. Reckless? Perhaps. But the point is to hold them to their word that there is some sort of formal process that allows one to carry to work. Read: not just the parking lot, but inside the business. Otherwise, why do they have these stupid clauses if there is no actual process for authorization? And if they refuse to allow someone to at least apply, if the balk and say that no such form exists, then they should be taken to court for breach of contract.

[bayouhazard]

I bet that clause is there to allow the security guards to be armed.

[boomerang]

And if they refuse to allow someone to at least apply, if the balk and say that no such form exists, then they should be taken to court for breach of contract.

What contract?

[ClarkLZeuss]

And if they refuse to allow someone to at least apply, if the balk and say that no such form exists, then they should be taken to court for breach of contract.

What contract?

I guess it depends on the employer, but in some cases the employee policies/handbook is essentially a contract, either because you have to sign it, or because if you violate it you are fired. IANAL, so I don't know if it merits the legal definition of "contract." Maybe someone else knows?

[roberts]

Most companies I know in Texas are very careful to say there is no employment contract and remind employees that Texas is an "at will" state. The exception is usually companies with unionized employees who do have a contract.

[thorkyl]

Your in the pickle everyone is in.

In Texas, all they can do is fire you unless you park in a secure area of the airport or in a Federal Trade Zone.

So you have to ask yourself, is loosing your job worth the risk of having the tool to defend yourself.

Only you can answer that question.

I for one would not ask security, they could single you out for searches just because of the question.