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Guns
Alabama State Sen. Roger Bedford Says Employees Should be Able to Take Guns to Work
Alabama State Sen. Roger Bedford (D-Russellville) is pushing a new bill that would allow employees to take guns to work in order to increase personal safety.
State Sen. Bedford told the Montgomery Advertiser last Friday: "I think it’s necessary so people will have peace of mind when they’re traveling to and from work."
The bill would prevent most employers from barring workers from transporting and storing guns at work. Employees who bring guns to work would be required to keep their guns locked up and out of sight.
The law would not apply to school campuses, and guns wouldn’t be allowed anywhere they are already banned by federal law, reports the Montgomery Advertiser.
A similar bill has been introduced twice before, but failed, even with support from the National Rifle Association.
Bill Canary, President of the Business Council of Alabama, told the Montgomery Advertiser: “At a time when the business community in all sectors should be focused on creating jobs, we instead are dealing with this unnecessary legislation which erodes the constitutional property rights of businesses. Alabama businesses are already struggling with burdensome regulations that impact productivity and increase costs.”
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Comments
This time Alabama gun lovers
This time Alabama gun lovers could overrule the wishes of employers. Indiana passed legislation effective 7/1/11 that forbids employers from asking an employee if he has a gun on his person, in his briefcase, in his car or even in his company locker. Its kind of a gun lovers "don't ask, don't tell law". An employer must catches the employee exposing a gun, he cannot ask him any questions about his gun ownership, usage, etc...Though Indiana business owners can still create "no firearms" policies and terminate an employee they see with a gun on their property, the employer is liable for damages to their employee, even financial, due to violating this law. http://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/new-indiana-law-restricts-employers-requiring-employees-and-applicants
When you're at work you are
When you're at work you are representing your employer - as such, the employer needs to have the right to determine the actions and equipment of their employees.
Alabama is heading for a
Alabama is heading for a state of anarchy if they pass this absurd bill into law. There is no reason for employees to bring guns to work. I think this State Legislator needs his head examined and for wasting taxpayer dollars on laws that do NOT ensure safety in the workplace.
It is unlikely to pass, but
It is unlikely to pass, but there are a significant number of people who believe guns should be allowed everywhere.
I can see where this makes
I can see where this makes sense for some people, truck drivers, utility workers, and other people who work "off site". The employers property rights do have to be respected, as much as I am for Second Amendment Rights one persons rights should not trample another person rights.
We agree... woo hoo. A rare
We agree... woo hoo. A rare event in many respects.
However, an employer should also be able to set policy in company-owned vehicles like trucks, so working off site would not be sufficient. If a trucker is independent and runs his own rig or an employee has to use a POV to get to work site, then his employer should have no say in the matter on whether the employee carries a gun in his/her vehicle.
In this situation, if the
In this situation, if the employee shoots someone while on the job, will the employer be held liable or partially liable should an injury or wrongful death occur? Should the employee be poor and the employer rich, is it more likely a lawsuit will target the deeper pocket? Even if the employer is able to successfully defend him/herself, will there be damage to the company's reputation? How much will it cost him/her to mount a defense and to spend time in court?
If they write laws like this and don't specifically address liability, the law will be an undue burden on the employer as mentioned above. If the law limits the employer's liability, what happens when he/she is negligent with hiring someone who is mentally unstable and who injures/kills someone? If they are negligent but the law limits their liability, is this fair to the victim(s)?
Lots of things to consider when drafting legislation such as this.
You're right... the liability
You're right... the liability issues alone could kill any business. Most businesses won't allow alcohol on site for similar reasons.
As a business owner, I have made it clear to employees - no weapons on site or while on the job. Deviations are grounds for instant termination.
I think if businesses want
I think if businesses want people to be able to concealed carry they should be allowed to, however, I also think that businesses should have the responsibility to provide firearms training and safety if they decide to allow employees to carry along with a psych evaluation.
To me, at least that's not infringing on constitutional rights because you can decide not to carry, quit that job if you feel it's stepping over the boundaries or comply. That's what I'm going to do before I apply for a CCW, is get psych tested, my responsibility as a future firearms owner to ensure the safety of others around me.
What you have stated is the
What you have stated is the law of Alabama. Employers have this option now - to allow guns at work. This law wants to override this choice.
So essentially this is
So essentially this is another prod at gun control, I won't lie there has been a lot of Rambos killing unarmed people lately, according to OV at least, but a gun isn't a alternative for good training and as far as I know, I haven't researched the subject much, there aren't a lot of groups or CCW instructors offering training home burglary situations or even mass shooting situations.
Civilians should be held to the highest standard when it comes to CCW and home defense.
The property rights of
The property rights of employers need to be respected. No private property owner should be forced to allow guns on site.