Employer Car Searches

[hooknbullet]

My employer has a (recently strictly enforced)no firearms policy. Until the last couple of years, Vehicle searches were unheard of. Employee parking lots, never. On rare occasions, they might randomly search a vehicle passing through the gate at a location where government contracted work was being performed.
This all changed ca.2007 when they hired a gun hating, over-zealous HR manager. Through seemingly innocent conversation, she became aware of a few employees that had their gear packed and ready to go to the deer lease at noon on Friday. So, she calls in the search dogs and those guys were fired for violating company policy.
Most people were outraged at this, company policy or not. Many of us had all done that very same thing in the past. Some have CHLs, some just carry everyday. Personally, I've parked my truck inside the fence on company property many times loaded with hunting gear,ready for a trip to the lease. This was approved by management, as we were all hunters/shooters/"gun people" if you will.
Anyway, about a month after the first vehicle searches, she called in the dogs again to do another total parking lot search. My heart sank into my stomach when she called me to come out to my truck. It was a Monday morning, & I'd been to the lease that weekend. I wondered what I'd left in my truck, but the closer I got to my truck, my fear of losing my job was replaced by anger at the idea that they were going to search MY truck, and if I didn't consent to the search, I'd be terminated. As it turned out, there was a box of .22 ammo in my console. Cruella DeVille, the HR lady said that she ws going to note it in my file, to which I repled "for what?" (the policy says nothing about ammunition). Cruella gave me a dirty look short lecture on company policy, so I decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and shut my mouth. I don't want to throw away 20+ years of employment over a box of .22 ammo. I cannot wait for the parking lot bill to pass. Until then, my gunsafe under my seat will remain empty.

[WildBill]

My employer has a (recently strictly enforced)no firearms policy. Until the last couple of years, Vehicle searches were unheard of. Employee parking lots, never. On rare occasions, they might randomly search a vehicle passing through the gate at a location where government contracted work was being performed.
This all changed ca.2007 when they hired a gun hating, over-zealous HR manager. Through seemingly innocent conversation, she became aware of a few employees that had their gear packed and ready to go to the deer lease at noon on Friday. So, she calls in the search dogs and those guys were fired for violating company policy.
Most people were outraged at this, company policy or not. Many of us had all done that very same thing in the past. Some have CHLs, some just carry everyday. Personally, I've parked my truck inside the fence on company property many times loaded with hunting gear,ready for a trip to the lease. This was approved by management, as we were all hunters/shooters/"gun people" if you will.
Anyway, about a month after the first vehicle searches, she called in the dogs again to do another total parking lot search. My heart sank into my stomach when she called me to come out to my truck. It was a Monday morning, & I'd been to the lease that weekend. I wondered what I'd left in my truck, but the closer I got to my truck, my fear of losing my job was replaced by anger at the idea that they were going to search MY truck, and if I didn't consent to the search, I'd be terminated. As it turned out, there was a box of .22 ammo in my console. Cruella DeVille, the HR lady said that she ws going to note it in my file, to which I repled "for what?" (the policy says nothing about ammunition). Cruella gave me a dirty look short lecture on company policy, so I decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and shut my mouth. I don't want to throw away 20+ years of employment over a box of .22 ammo. I cannot wait for the parking lot bill to pass. Until then, my gunsafe under my seat will remain empty.

Hooknbullet - Thank you for your post of a first-hand account. I am sorry to hear this story. Especially since it seems to be the result of one person's vendetta against law-abiding gun owners. This is exactly why we need a parking lot bill passed. I am hopeful that we can get it passed at the next legislative session.

[C-dub]

I am hopeful that we can get it passed at the next legislative session.

But, It's going to seem like forever.

[GhostTX]

This SO makes me glad I am able to safely park on the street (dead end street, no traffic). My car is in no way shape or form on company property.

[roberts]

No and not without a warrant.

[boomerang]

Thanks to everyone who voted!