OT: "made" at work today

barnett3006 · Post by **barnett3006** » May 16th, 2007, 3:02 pm

Someone today either saw or made out my p64 today at work. Of course, they flipped out and told management, management call the police. 3 officers, the manager on duty and I all went in an office. The officer told me what was happeing, he said someone saw that I had something. He then asked if I had any weapons on me, being 100% cooperative, I said that I have a concealed weapon permit. He then patted me down, unholstered my gun, my spare mags, my pocket knife, multitool, wallet and cell phone. They then called in my permit number and ran a background check which cleared, being that I am not a criminal. They asked me why I felt that I needed to carry a gun, I said it was my right to carry for personal protection. The one officer then said that he doesnt have any problem with people protecting themselves, he also explained to the managers that in accordance with Florida State law that I had not broken any laws and that I was not under arrest for anything and with my concealed permit I was legally aloud to carry a gun. Company policy is that no employee is allowed to have a gun on the property. I was escorted out of the building by the officers, when we reached my truck my gun and everything was returned to me (the officers had me unlock and open my tool box and thats were they placed everything for me to retrieve when I got home.

Company policy is not state law, but now I am currently suspended from work. I am suposed to get a call tomorrow from the manager with the decision as to fire my or keep me employed there.

I and everyone else here already knows what the decision is going to be.

My problem now is getting a job elsewhere is going to be next to impossible, I've worked there for 3 years, almost 4 and I cant just not leave that off of an employment application. And when they are called for reference and to ask why I was fired you guys know what will be said.

Does anyone have any advice? I talked to my dad about it, he said to talk to the manager and his boss, but he has left for the day already and I dont have the phone numbers for the upper management.

Im not even sure how they spotted it, best I can figure is that I bent over to pick something up and the gun printed through my shirt.

Post by **normsutton** » May 16th, 2007, 3:28 pm

barnett3006

the law that would have protected you about guns in the work place just got voted down in the state of FLORIDA

NORM

mecenas · Post by **mecenas** » May 16th, 2007, 3:52 pm

Under the law (as Norm indicated) the company policy governs regulations pertaning to having a firearm in a workplace.
You should simply appeal to the manager to let you stay and, at the same time, promise you will not bring your firearm ever to work. I have an uneasy feeling that you were adamant about your right to carry having your CCW - and that was not too smart. I hope I am wrong.
You could be discharged for violating the company policy, although far less punishment would be in order (reprimand, suspension, etc).
Good luck!!!

barnett3006 · Post by **barnett3006** » May 16th, 2007, 3:56 pm

Norm

I know, I asked the senators to pass the thing. Then I got that rude response from Sen. Rob Allen.

Post by **normsutton** » May 16th, 2007, 4:08 pm

barnett3006

I think it would of past if it wasn't for the W Virginian shootings
at lest the NRA had high hopes before the shootings

NORM

tmann11 · Post by **tmann11** » May 16th, 2007, 4:38 pm

Unfortunately in this case employment policy will rule. I truly hope that you don't lose your job, but I'm sure this is a lesson learned for all.

brigade · Post by **brigade** » May 16th, 2007, 5:30 pm

Im not even sure how they spotted it, best I can figure is that I bent over to pick something up and the gun printed through my shirt.

That is too bad. I believe that the law that allows concealed carry should override "policies at work". I feel bad for you and hope you end up ok at work. Maybe with some ass kissing you can keep/recover your status at work.

Let me preface the following statement written below is in no way directed at you simply just a general statement meant to help prevent this sad situation where a man is just attempting to protect himself and possibly co-workers from the crazy f*cks in the world. Again I feel bad for your situation, barnett3006....

Concealed carry is something people need to be highly aware of and proper holster and weapon choice is critical to not running into problems legal or not. Below at the bottom is a link to what we wrote in detail about that very aspect at my company. It needs to be taken serious and in my opinion the only choice for concealed carry is a small gun and carried in a very good IWB holster. I have been doing holsters for over 15 years and have tested, tested, tested all methods and know what works and what doesn't. I always try to help folks when they call us at work and attempt to help them realize that most people fool themselves into thinking that just any holster will work. Some people get angry when I try to help them and think they know better. I never recommend anything except a very well designed and fitted IWB for several reasons and not just concealment. I would never carry in anything but a very good IWB. I make/design almost all the holsters we make and I would only use 2 for concealed carry. The paddle holsters in my opinion are the worst for printing. I know some folks who read this will think "whatever" but thats ok cause my intention is always to reach those who will hear the truth about real life situations and scenarios not just what they think or imagine they know. I do realize that all situations or circumstances are different so I also do realize that not all applications require an IWB so don't read this paragraph the wrong way. I have talked to survivors and top gov't and law-enforcement personal and I know that I am right about everday concealed carry. Here is the link. And just fyi I am not promoting my business since right now we are having to turn business away since we are so very busy. Just trying to help my favorite group of guys here and my fellow P-64 gurus. http://www.brigadegunleather.com/ccw.html

Thanks for reading.
-Troy

nbender · Post by **nbender** » May 16th, 2007, 5:50 pm

If they didn't lay you off on the spot, you may have a chance. I think the chance is slim though. Company policies rule.

Here I am today with a new pistol in a box on my desk in my office ...

If they lay you off, ask for a letter of recommendation. Ask for the quality of your work to be evaluated, not one incident.

If asked why you left the company, I would not lie to a prospective employer, but I would not emphasize the fact that you believe in the right to carry, etc. That's not called for in an interview. Tell them you were at the range with a small pistol and forgot you had it on you, if you feel comfortable saying that.

Employers come in all persuasions. If you came to my office and explained what happened it wouldn't bother me. It will bother some, but not all.

Good Luck, and don't feel like a felon! Change is the spice of life

carguy · Post by **carguy** » May 16th, 2007, 6:42 pm

Have there been any other employees that got in trouble without getting fired? Not necessarily for the same policy violation as you but others. Maybe minor harassment or suspected of larceny or...goodness knows what. All I'm trying to think of is an example you could use if indeed your management decides to let you go, that would be an example of someone else violating policy (if not the law) and not being let go. You broke no laws, have they ever been lienient with anyone else that maybe broken a law and since it was a misdameanor / didn't hurt anyone it was swept under the rug?

Plan as strong a defense as you can, expect the worst and hope for the best. If the worst happens, ask for that letter of reference based on your performance of your job duties and unfortunately be prepared to "fib" on your next interview when they do ask for a reference, about your last job and why you left..."I didn't realize it was still there as I had gone shooting earlier in the day, ran errands than went straight to work."

Maybe as mentioned previously remind you boss that you've been a good employee, never done this before and just made an error in judgement, ask for understanding, a second chance, probation. If he says he can't due to his boss' decision, ask to plead your case directly to that person. If they decided to let you go already, it can't make things worse.

Sorry for your situation. Best of luck, thinkin of you. Keep us up to speed.

truth · Post by **truth** » May 16th, 2007, 7:40 pm

Where, the hell, do you work??

pshootr · Post by **pshootr** » May 16th, 2007, 9:40 pm

It's always sad to read when something like this happens to someone. Have you thought of contacting an attorney? The reason I ask is that even though I doubt he or she can get your job back for you, if in fact you do lose it, perhaps they can negotiate an agreement that you will not file a lawsuit for wrongful termination of employment, based perhaps on unequal treatment or some other cause, if the company omits the reason for your dismissal from their records. Perhaps they would be willing to let you resign your position without prejudice in return for your agreeing not to sue them over the issue.

Best,
John (in Central Florida)
See: http://www.justiceflorida.com/criminal- ... orney.html (no personal or professional connection)

manicmechanic · Post by **manicmechanic** » May 16th, 2007, 9:42 pm

I hope you can either stay with the company that you were with, or move onto a better situation than what you had before. God works in mysterious ways! I also work at a no guns allowed company. It sucks, they force you to either park off site, leave a weapon in a unsecured parking area, or go to and from work, and throughout your workday defenseless. We can only hope for the best and move on. Good luck in whatever situation you find yourself in and let us know what the final outcome is.

carguy · Post by **carguy** » May 16th, 2007, 10:12 pm

Not that I want to help perpetuate this litigious society we live in but...how old are you? If indeed you lose your job, could the hint of a wrongful termination together with an age discrimination law suit sway them to bend your way and make at the very least your departure more reasonable to help you get another job??

barnett3006 · Post by **barnett3006** » May 17th, 2007, 12:13 am

Carguy,
Im 23 (a young'in right) just so you guys know I'm not just some kid that decided that "guns are COOL" one day and bought a p64. I have been hunting and shooting sense I can remember, I come from a long line of gun collectors, hunters and shooters. My grandfather introduced me to not only reloading but to bullet casting when I was very little, I remember the greatest thing was when my grandfather would let me load 9mm on his Lee Pro press, afterwhich we would go outback shoot everything that I reloaded...I must have been 8 or 9. My father took me shooting and hunting every chance we could go (although I couldnt hunt myself, I followed behind him) When I was 10 I could take the hunters safety education course in Colorado, that was my birthday present in fact, and when me and my father went hunting a few days later I got my first squirrel and rabbit with a Stevens 22 rifle that my great-grandfather had had when he was a young man and had given to me. In the winter of that year after a hunting trip my father let me try shooting his Remington over/under 20ga, on a good looking pinecone in the snow, to see if I could handle a shotgun for the upcoming pheasant hunting trip in Nebraska that my father and grandfather had planned to take me on that comeing spring. There are, of course, many hunting and shooting stories of mine that I would like to share with you guys but I hope you guys get what Im saying about my self here (and I fully understand and respect the fact that there are guys on this board that have many many time the amount of firearms experience that I have)

you might say that I was born with a bruised shoulder, "racetracks" across the back of my right thumb, an NRA membership in my left hand and the Second Amendment etched into my soul.

Sorry about my long windedness, situations like the one Im in tend to make me type for very long periods of time.

bzinggg · Post by **bzinggg** » May 17th, 2007, 12:22 am

Don't do anything rash. Just relax and grant the company their right to set policy. Find out what they want before you say anything. Don't assume immediate dismissal. Don't assume everyone in management feels the same way. Do assume that everyone is observing you right now to come to a decision in their own minds about what kind of fellow you really are. A calm approach and good manners are essential. Don't make this a soap box for gun rights tomorrow, just cooperate with management in their decision on what to do right now and try to keep your job and a good reputation for a cool head.

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