Does Right to Bear Arms Include Work?
By George Anderson
Ronald Honeycutt knows that there’s more than one way to lose a job.
According to USA Today, the former Pizza Hut delivery person found himself confronted by a man with a gun one evening while making deliveries. Mr. Honeycutt did what he
thought was best to save his life and, by extension, his job in the process. He shot and killed the man.
Unfortunately for Mr. Honeycutt, while he was fortunate to save his own life and his company’s money, he lost his job. Pizza Hut has a company rule against carrying weapons.
Mr. Honeycutt has found another job delivering pizzas for a different company but he disagrees with Pizza Hut’s decision to let him go. “It’s not fair,” he said. “There is a
constitutional right to bear arms. If I’m going to die, I’d rather be killed defending myself.”
Many legislators agree with Mr. Honeycutt and some states have passed laws making it easier for registered gun owners to carry weapons while on the job, even if their employer
has a policy against it.
Paul Viollis, president of Risk Control Strategies in New York spoke to USA Today. “Are we promoting open firefights in the parking lot? For legislation to permit employees
and contractors to bring loaded firearms to work in vehicles is blatantly irresponsible.”
Moderator’s Comment: Should retail companies amend their weapons policies to allow workers in high-risk jobs (convenience stores, dollar stores, etc.)
to carry a gun or other form of protection?
Oklahoma state Sen. Frank Shurden, a Democrat, thinks they should. “Companies are prohibiting the rights of employees to protect themselves. I am in favor
of letting a licensed permit holder carry the gun in the workplace. There’s no reason to fear law-abiding citizens.” –
George Anderson – Moderator
I am 28, a Formerly-Active United States Marine, and currently possess a valid CCW (Carry Concealed Weapon) Permit in the state of West Virginia. I’m not the typical “Jar-head,” and scored almost the max score possible on the ASVAB…not a dummy here. Several years of college….
Due to necessity, I recently acquired a job at a Convenience Store. This store is near a highway, where it is proven that higher rates of crime occur with regard to Convenience Store robberies.
I am quite competent, and able, with regard to handguns and other weapons. However, after asking the boss, and showing valid proof of CCW Permit, I was told that “…you can leave it in your car, but you can’t carry it in the store while working…liability concerns.” This is a decision made by an Ex-Military Man, and who knows I am a Former Marine.
I need the job, so I guess my Glock will remain in the car. However, I am discouraged by one point…If a Formerly-Active Marine, holding a valid CCW permit is told he can’t carry even if working late night (between 8pm – 8am)…that just shows the path we are taking into helping accommodate the needs of criminals: No – Low Risk Crime.
My gun will remain in my car, but if I get shot, and killed, in a robbery…I’M SUING! 🙂
Actually, depending on your state of residence… If you check out your laws, you will most likely find that only the state you reside in has jurisdiction over whether or not you can carry. No private institution or land owner, etc… can deny your right to carry if you are a legal CCW holder. Granted, it’s always a good idea to keep it concealed and not to let anybody know about it. In my state (NH), no institution except for the state itself (and federal of course) can do anything to infringe on my right to carry, so I do. New Hampshire is also an at-will employment state so I could get fired if found out; they just couldn’t use their weapons policy as an acceptable reason. Either way, I’d rather lose my job than my life. My job is replaceable. My life isn’t.