Uber announces gun ban

[Dave Workman]

Well, time to just call a cab.



Did Uber just announce 'victimize me' policy for drivers, passengers?

Two months after one of its drivers in Chicago became a hero by stopping a gunman in his tracks during a random shooting incident, ride-sharing Uber has announced a ban on guns for drivers and passengers, as reported yesterday by several news agencies including Seattle's KIRO, the local CBS affiliate.


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[Classic]

Guess who WON'T be using Uber? I refuse to patronize businesses who don't shiv a git about their customers!

 

[Dave Workman]

Guess who WON'T be using Uber? I refuse to patronize businesses who don't shiv a git about their customers!

Please cut and paste THIS over to the Exam comments section! Thx for reading!

 

[JamesRL]

Pretty common cowardly approach by a business - they worry about the liability they face if one of their drivers (who they don't actually employ) shoots somebody, so they make it a "policy" that their drivers (and passengers) can't carry guns. That way, if a driver (or passenger) shoots somebody and a lawsuit happens, they can claim that they're NOT liable under respondeat superior (Google it) because the driver (or passenger) was violating company policy.


Jim

 

[Certaindeaf]

That's pretty lame. Will they be able to be sued by those killed because they were following this rule?
lol

 

[Heywood]

Pretty common cowardly approach by a business - they worry about the liability they face if one of their drivers (who they don't actually employ) shoots somebody, so they make it a "policy" that their drivers (and passengers) can't carry guns. That way, if a driver (or passenger) shoots somebody and a lawsuit happens, they can claim that they're NOT liable under respondeat superior (Google it) because the driver (or passenger) was violating company policy.
Jim

Exactly. But I wouldn't worry about it. What are they going to do? Trespass you from property they do not own?. This is simply a CYA situation for them.
Dutch bros has that same policy as a cover but they did not fire an employee that had one anyway and used it to protect themselves.

 

[edison bulb]

Write Uber and tell them what you think!

 

[JamesRL]

That's pretty lame. Will they be able to be sued by those killed because they were following this rule?
lol

Short answer: Nope.

A business can't be held liable for the illegal actions of a customer or employee. That's why so many businesses have "gun-free zone" policies - that way, if someone gets shot on their premises, they can argue that "our policy does not allow guns on the property, so we have done all we could do to prevent this tragedy".

It's BS, of course, but so is a lot of tort law.


Jim

 

[U201494]

Who will know if you're carrying a concealed firearm? I guess maybe if you're one of those open carry imbeciles it would be obvious....might as well walk around with your wang dangling in the open air, you get the same attention.

 

[edslhead]

Uber shouldn't even exist.

 

[Certaindeaf]

The company seems like a great huge dodge/Dodge city.
I guess we'll have to see where the liability falls (self employed/employee) when something truly diabolical or catastrophic happens.

 

[soberups]

Exactly. But I wouldn't worry about it. What are they going to do? Trespass you from property they do not own?. This is simply a CYA situation for them.
Dutch bros has that same policy as a cover but they did not fire an employee that had one anyway and used it to protect themselves.

If I owned a small business, I would also have a "no guns allowed" policy for employees simply to protect myself and my assets from BS lawsuits. Any law-abiding employee who used a gun for legitimate self-defense would receive an official warning letter for violating that policy that would remain in his/her file (for one day), and have his/her pay for that week docked (by one nickel). The following week, they would then receive a "performance bonus" of $100 for every hole they put in the bad guy, including exit wounds, as well as a letter of commendation to be posted in their permanent file. Gotta follow the rules!

 

[Classic]

Please cut and paste THIS over to the Exam comments section! Thx for reading!

Done deal! It's there now

 

[CHLChris]

Almost all pizza joints who deliver have this same policy. Drivers need only make a decision for themselves: Do I carry concealed and risk my job, or follow the rules and risk my life?

As a customer, concealed is concealed. Same rules apply here as for any private property: Uber's pronouncement does not carry the weight of law and if they don't ask you to exit the car then you're good. If they notice your (concealed) gun, ask you to exit, and you don't comply, then you're in trouble.

I think all around, this pronouncement from Uber is like so many other pronouncements we hear about. It won't make any difference. I'd still use Uber...but I don't ever have a need.

 

[wired]

If you run a cab company, like Uber does, you should have to follow all the local statutes that pertain to cab companies. Uber does not do this. The "Ride Sharing" thing is a bunch of BS. In any case its their company and if they want their drivers to be unprotected thats their call. If I'm a passenger on an uber car, which will NEVER happen , the driver will have to frisk me to determine if I am carrying or not. Not going to happen.

 

[Joe13]

I have a buddy that drives for them - I know he would rather not drive for them then leave his gun at home...

Same with any other company that has these "rules" about firearms. Be a sheep and follow them or be a wolf and ask for forgiveness after the fact if you ever have to use it.

 

[40calruler]

I find forgiveness is much easier to seek than permission. If I drove strangers around you can bet your a$$ I would have likely 2 guns on me. Ankle and IWB so I can get to one or the other with ease driving or out of the car. Suck it Uber!
I have used them in San Diego, LA, and a few other places over the last couple years. It is much cheaper than a cab but if they said "no guns" as a passenger I would just ignore it. As a driver I would happily ignore it. Who knows what some drunk idiot you pick up from a bar is capable of.

 

[3MTA3]

Sorry, Uber is not going to risk my life by placing me into a gun free zone. Eff them.

 

[soberups]

If you run a cab company, like Uber does, you should have to follow all the local statutes that pertain to cab companies. Uber does not do this. The "Ride Sharing" thing is a bunch of BS. In any case its their company and if they want their drivers to be unprotected thats their call. If I'm a passenger on an uber car, which will NEVER happen , the driver will have to frisk me to determine if I am carrying or not. Not going to happen.

Agreed, to a point at least. The problem (in Portland, anyway) is that the "regulations" that are in place are there for the sole purpose of supporting a city bureaucracy. They don't benefit customers and they don't create job opportunities for cab drivers. I like the idea of Uber, but if they are going to be allowed to operate in Portland then the existing taxi companies who have been forced to pay thousands of dollars in annual "licensing fees" to the City of Portland need to have those fees refunded to them so that they can compete with Uber on a level playing field. Of course, that will never happen.

 

[Deebow]

I have a car, so I don't have this problem.

And even if I needed a ride, and I had my gun, and I used the Uber app., it is exactly none of their business if do or do not have a gun. It is also exactly none of my business if they do.