Firearm in car at work

[chadk77]

I've had my CHP for over a year now. My employee handbook at work says I cannot have a firearm in my car on company property. I know or thought there was a bill that was going to make it to where they could not tell you that you couldn't have a gun in your car as long as it stays in your car and is in a compartment or box but cannot remember if it got passed or exactly what the law is there. Can anyone clear this up for me? I'm just wondering whether or not to sign this employee handbook signature page or to bring this up to HR.

[FatAndy]

The bill you described died in committee in the Senate last year. So, your employer is still allowed to enforce this policy on you for the time being.

[gunderwood]

Andy's right, but you could always park off company property if possible.

[chadk77]

Thanks a lot. Wish that bill had made it through!

[VBshooter]

Or do it on the QT....... Unless you tell how is anyone going to know??

[Jakeiscrazy]

The question is, is it against the law to defy the handbook? I pretty sure it's not, but maybe someone can chime in and confirm.

So if what I think is true then it's your choice but I figure they could fire you if they finds out.

[Daholt757]

doubt you'd face any criminal charges, but yes they could fire you if they found out

[LFS]

doubt you'd face any criminal charges, but yes they could fire you if they found out

And they could fire you just because they think you are hiding a gun in the car... or they could fire you because they just don't like you owning guns period... or they could fire you and not give a single reason.

If they are not doing searches and have no reason to suspect it, how would they find out... especially if you had it in a lock box in the car.

[gunderwood]

The question is, is it against the law to defy the handbook? I pretty sure it's not, but maybe someone can chime in and confirm.

So if what I think is true then it's your choice but I figure they could fire you if they finds out.

If they find out, they will fire you. It's part of your terms of employment and no one wants any risk, so they will fire you. It could possibly be argued you were trespassing because you clearly knew they didn't want your firearm on their property and brought it anyways.

[chadk77]

I have always kept it in my car and just not told anyone not that it would do me any good there if something happened but you never know. I just did not want to sign the signature page of our handbook if that bill had made it through and they were still trying to enforce that.

[M1A4ME]

first off, where I work, I can keep firearms in my car (handgun or long gun) as long as I fill out a form to let the company know I may have one secured in my car. I've never carried one to work and have never filled out the form either. Thought about it, just never done it.

Second, if you park on company property they can ask the local police department to bring a dog, or dogs, to their property and do a walk through of the parking lots where their employees park cars. In the past, where I work, the company has done that and the Chesterfield Police Department has brought in dogs that have located firearms inside an employee's vehicle. I do not know the details of how they got permission to search the vehicle but they also found drugs and the employee was fired.

I suppose the company can fire you for refusing to allow your vehicle to be searched as the dog will give them reason to believe you are violating company policy by bringing guns or drugs onto company property.

[Diomed]

I do not know the details of how they got permission to search the vehicle but they also found drugs and the employee was fired.

I suppose the company can fire you for refusing to allow your vehicle to be searched as the dog will give them reason to believe you are violating company policy by bringing guns or drugs onto company property.

That's pretty much how it works - "Give us consent to search the vehicle or you're fired". So, if you have contraband, you're screwed either way.