Firearms in the workplace

[Hephaestus]

Does anyone know if it is legal for an employer to ban have a legally owned firearm in your personal vehicle?

I have heard of a place where the published policy is that you are not allowed to have a firearm in your vehicle in the company lot and you are not allowed to have a firearm while driving for official company business. Can they really enforce this policy. It seems ridiculous because the place is located in a pretty rural area where I am sure many of the employees hunt. It would not be unreasonable to think that someone would want to have their gear with them so they can leave work and go to their favorite hunting spot.

[Moccasin]

There is nothing in VA law that stops an employer from banning firearms in an employee's vehicle while on the employer's property. Basically the employer is saying they do not want an employee to have firearms on company property, it's your choice whether you continue the employment. Doubtful that you'll get sent to jail but you could loose your job.

[moss20]

Sounds like Fed-ex. The Winchester location has that policy. Not sure if its legal or not.

[PhylumofDoom]

This is a bill that has been purposed to the virginia legislation that could solve your problem if it is passed.

HB171

Firearms in locked vehicles; immunity from liability. Provides that no person, property owner, tenant, employer, or business owner may prohibit a person who lawfully possesses a firearm from storing that firearm in a locked motor vehicle. The bill provides civil immunity for such persons, property owners, tenants, employers, or business owners. The provisions of the bill would not apply to possession of firearms on school property, nor would the provisions apply to vehicles owned or leased by an employer or business and used by an employee in the course of his employment.



VCDL Comments
This bill makes it so no person, property owner, tenant, employer, or business entity can prohibit a person from having a firearm locked in or locked to a motor vehicle in a parking lot. It also exempts that person, property owner, tenant, employer, or business entity from any civil action that results from any occurrence of such lawfully stored firearm. The bill exempts schools and company vehicles. VCDL would like to see the school exemption dropped so teachers can leave guns in their vehicles.

[zephyp]

Well, as we all know according to VA code property owners can ban guns from their own property. Hopefully the aforementioned bill will pass...