Employer anti-carry policies - to risk your job or not.

[ob1]

My wife's job requires her to work in one of the crappy parts of Portland, the Hawthorne District. ( ya it's hard to find many areas in town that don't earn that title now ).
Even though she has her carry permit, she is prevented from using it because of her employers strict no weapons policy.
About 10 hours ago, she found herself danger close to a fatal shooting while working.
Since I have always been in occupations that required carry, my response is predictable, to hell with the job, if you don't feel safe, do what you have to, you can always find another job if it comes to that.
While she is shaken by being danger close to tonight's shooting, she hates the idea of giving up several years invested in her job.
If this was your wife, what would you say to her ?

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[Stomper]

My wife's job requires her to work in one of the crappy parts of Portland, the Hawthorne District. ( ya it's hard to find many areas in town that don't earn that title now ).
Even though she has her carry permit, she is prevented from using it because of her employers strict no weapons policy.
About 10 hours ago, she found herself danger close to a fatal shooting while working.
Since I have always been in occupations that required carry, my response is predictable, to hell with the job, if you don't feel safe, do what you have to, you can always find another job if it comes to that.
While she is shaken by being danger close to tonight's shooting, she hates the idea of giving up several years invested in her job.
If this was your wife, what would you say to her ?

Stomperism of the day-

I'd rather lose the several years that I have invested in a job, than the years I have invested in my life.

 

[JohnnyMac]

I think if I were her, I'd go to management and stress that she doesn't feel safe and would like to carry her firearm. If they resist, then I would follow @Stomper and his Stomperism and find something better. There are a ton of jobs out there right now. Many with signing bonuses and leverage to negotiate higher wages. If she is absolutely stuck on the job, then maybe she could demand the company take steps to protect her with armed guards or bulletproof enclosures (not knowing what she does these may not apply) but you get the picture. And lastly she might just carry anyway and risk getting fired.

 

[SUPER X]

Work from home if possible ? ,

 

[JustSomeGuy]

@Stomper nailed it.

Personally, it would be one cold day in hell when I surrendered any of my god given rights because an employer said I must to keep my job.

 

[ob1]

I think if I were her, I'd go to management and stress that she doesn't feel safe and would like to carry her firearm. If they resist, then I would follow @Stomper and his Stomperism and find something better. There are a ton of jobs out there right now. Many with signing bonuses and leverage to negotiate higher wages. If she is absolutely stuck on the job, then maybe she could demand the company take steps to protect her with armed guards or bulletproof enclosures (not knowing what she does these may not apply) but you get the picture. And lastly she might just carry anyway and risk getting fired.

Thanks guys for your thoughts. Unfortunately she is in management and therefore expected to fly the corporate flag, so to speak.

" Stomperism "
is that a thing ?

 

[s1xty7]

Concealed means concealed.

 

[ATCclears]

What is the probability of a similar or dangerous situation happening again?

Were senior leadership or owner(s) at risk too? What is their commentary on the situation?

The answers to those questions may help your wife make a decision.

 

[Stomper]

Thanks guys for your thoughts. Unfortunately she is in management and therefore expected to fly the corporate flag, so to speak.

" Stomperism "
is that a thing ?

Why yes, yes it is a thing!

I'm by no means saying be blatant about it. She's not looking to get into a protracted gunfight, carry something small and kept easily descrete.




Second Stomperism of the day:

My EDC can't read corporate policy manuals, or "gun free zone" signs.

 

[aksu747]

That's what deep concealment guns like the LCP series are great for.
I'm in the exact same situation, I can always get another job, you only get one life though.
I'd prefer to be able to protect myself and anyone nearby who may need the help.

 

[OldTengu]

I sought out new employment with a company that specifically did not have language in company policy disallowing carrying weapons if I chose. That said, at my last gig, in management, I carried every day knowing that if the wrong person found out, I would be fired.
I'd tell her to do it, just be discreet.

Edit: it is absolutely acceptable, and recommended, that you ask for a copy of a potential employers company policy/employee handbook at the time of interview. There is not typically sensitive information in there.

 

[spider]

The last 4 employers I had, had anti-firearm policies, didn't stop me at all. But there was one time, my shirt rode a little too high and I was thought to myself, how long have I been exposed, but nothing happened. I am more cautious of that now.

 

[rdb241]

Stomperism of the day-

I'd rather lose the several years that I have invested in a job, than the years I have invested in my life.

Boeing has done the same thing on their property. No guns on company grounds. It is called a condition of employment. So the personal decision is up to the individual.
.

 

[RedneckRampage]

Keep it concealed. Worst comes to worse she looses her job, life goes on. I've known one person who went against their employers rules and got caught, but they got caught my running their mouth about it and somebody tattled. Tell her to carry but if the topic ever comes up, to down play the idea and pick the side of being against at work carry, DO NOT TELL ANYONE that she carries in or out of work, even co worker "friends".

 

[Alexx1401]

My wife's job requires her to work in one of the crappy parts of Portland, the Hawthorne District. ( ya it's hard to find many areas in town that don't earn that title now ).
Even though she has her carry permit, she is prevented from using it because of her employers strict no weapons policy.
About 10 hours ago, she found herself danger close to a fatal shooting while working.
Since I have always been in occupations that required carry, my response is predictable, to hell with the job, if you don't feel safe, do what you have to, you can always find another job if it comes to that.
While she is shaken by being danger close to tonight's shooting, she hates the idea of giving up several years invested in her job.
If this was your wife, what would you say to her ?

Do they search her on the way in the door? Use a metal detector on her? If not, is she capable of not dropping her gun on the floor? Capable of not showing her gun to others? If so carry if she wants to. The only time anyone should know she has a gun is if she needs it to save her life. At that point will being fired be better than not having the gun? Seems like a simple answer to me.

 

[FortRock]

Is the prohibition toward firearms? Can she carry pepper spray? If so, there are some very cool pepper ball guns on amazon. Also, bear spray. Also, add a tactical flashlight. Check out Fenix. Add a purse that makes it easy to access on the way to her car. Practice going to the car with flashlight in hand and hand on said pepper ball device. Practice! Just a thought. Guns are good but bear consequences for the law-abiding. It can be hard to lose a good job. Just something to consider.

 

[thorborg]

With a young family, between jobs and needing work back in the 70's, I worked briefly for a construction Co laying pipe in a six to eight foot deep trench. Your bent over on your knees not able to see the upper world, it started to rain heavily, though not legal as it stood, they wouldn't shore up the walls, I quit after much effort for them to change their ways. Folks can make more choices than they give themselves credit for. Had I not refused to work in those condition, and a cave in had happened, (which it did but no one was in there) as much blame was on me as the contractor since I knew the risks.
Whether or not your choices are contrary to laws or private rules, your best interest is best left to the one it most affects. Tough decision or not. I'll give up money or comfort before my life.
No one here can tell your wife what to do, she'll have to make her own decision, especially if she wants to enjoy personal autonomy.

 

[titsonritz]

My life > my job = the end

 

[Longwalkhome]

Use the incident and put it back on the employer. Ask for the right to carry or demand armed security at the work place. If the employer won't take care of her safety then it should be grounds to quit.

 

[jbett98]

She should demand an armed escort to and from her vehicle. PTSD is real and the latest occurrence of violence near her place of employment has left her nervous and afraid for her life.