Posted on Dec 17, 2015
Would you carry at a Civilian, Work Christmas Party?
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We are having a Christmas party at a Country club in the Dallas area. It is not a military function. It is my civilian work function.
I was speaking to my direct supervisor, I asked if I was able to carry a weapon to the function. Told him what the SOP stated. He said that I wouldn't because it could go bad and not to take the chance. I asked him to run it up or whether he was saying no? He stated that No don't carry. I have warning bells going of and that warm fuzzy going on. Might not have anything happen, but would like to be prepared.
How would the RP member take this and or do? Or even have done differently.
Here is our policy:
HANDGUNS, FIREARMS, OR WEAPONS
Employer( Name taken Out) strives to provide a work environment that is safe for our colleagues, visitors, and customers. In light of this, handguns, firearms, or weapons of any sort are not permitted in any of (employer removed) office locations. Anyone found to have a weapon of any sort in their possession will be subject to disciplinary action, up-to and including immediate termination.
If you are aware of a colleague with a weapon, you are to notify Human Resources and your senior leader immediately. If you have mistakenly brought a weapon, notify Human Resources and your senior leader for proper handling while at the work-site.
I was speaking to my direct supervisor, I asked if I was able to carry a weapon to the function. Told him what the SOP stated. He said that I wouldn't because it could go bad and not to take the chance. I asked him to run it up or whether he was saying no? He stated that No don't carry. I have warning bells going of and that warm fuzzy going on. Might not have anything happen, but would like to be prepared.
How would the RP member take this and or do? Or even have done differently.
Here is our policy:
HANDGUNS, FIREARMS, OR WEAPONS
Employer( Name taken Out) strives to provide a work environment that is safe for our colleagues, visitors, and customers. In light of this, handguns, firearms, or weapons of any sort are not permitted in any of (employer removed) office locations. Anyone found to have a weapon of any sort in their possession will be subject to disciplinary action, up-to and including immediate termination.
If you are aware of a colleague with a weapon, you are to notify Human Resources and your senior leader immediately. If you have mistakenly brought a weapon, notify Human Resources and your senior leader for proper handling while at the work-site.
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 29
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Just curious... Why do you have warning bells going off? Do you have direct knowledge of a possible event that may take place? The policy is crystal clear, so would it be worth the ramifications by taking the chance and then being discovered? I think, maybe, this is one Christmas Party you should probably just sit out... Just an opinion...
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SGT (Join to see)
I agree with MSgt Ellis. Don't even take the risk of something happening and you getting in trouble. Your supervisor already told you to not carry, so if he finds out you have something there could be an issue there. Also, there could be another issue because although it doesn't say anything about carrying to an off site work function, there is always a gray area and you could get in trouble by your employer as well.
To me it's always better to err on the side of caution and not put yourself into a crappy situation.
To me it's always better to err on the side of caution and not put yourself into a crappy situation.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
Yes I agree. Was just a question. I was going to carry after being told not to.
MSgt Curtis Ellis - No I do not, But after California and the shooting of the Dallas Mohammad artist thing just don't feel right about it. Far as not going, LOL Mandatory fun day!
MSgt Curtis Ellis - No I do not, But after California and the shooting of the Dallas Mohammad artist thing just don't feel right about it. Far as not going, LOL Mandatory fun day!
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SGT William Howell
MSgt Curtis Ellis I always have warning bells going off. Part of being a survivor is always having a plan and not accepting that you are helpless. The plan may be nothing more than knowing where the exits are and if it goes to hell that you unass the AO. It is still a plan. I never sit with my back to the door, I know where my family members are, and I look for the quickest way out. I am not saying that I stay in condition Red the entire time I am outside my home, but I am in Yellow and am ready to escalate if I need to.
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If your employer specifically prohibits carrying firearms during work functions or on company property then you shouldn't carry. Also, check the rules of the country club as well.
Where I live, it is against the law to drink while carrying so consider that.
Where I live, it is against the law to drink while carrying so consider that.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
Yeah I knew I could't consume. You can't consume at work. Yet they will be serving limited alcohol at the dinner(wine, Beer).
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Unless they are going to pat down everyone entering how will they know? If it did turn out that I needed it I had much rather be fired than killed.
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Make sure you have researched and understand the concealed and open carry laws of your state, and DO NOT break the law. Then, review your company policy, and ensure the wording is "office locations", as you say, and not a broader "work environments" or workplace gatherings". Then, know your state's employment laws. Virginia law allows employees to quit, and employers to fire, for any reason or no reason at all, and without warning. So in VA, you better know how your boss would react. If you can say yes to all of the above, or the threat warrants it even with potentially losing your job, then carry. Mine's staying in my car, and I'm retrieving it to walk my wife back to the car at the end of the evening.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
TX is a at will state. I have know the CHL requirements of TX. The Supervisor stated he wouldn't push it.
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I would carry this year, if I had a permit to do so.
Be prepared to be fired, even if you use that weapon to protect yourself and your co-workers.
Be prepared to be fired, even if you use that weapon to protect yourself and your co-workers.
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First, it is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. You have put the spotlight on the fact that you might carry. Your policy states that any employee that thinks someone may have a weapon is supposed to report it. He could report you and they could fire you.
It varies by state but there are certain places under the law you cannot carry (courts, police stations, schools etc.) those are technically the only places you cannot legal conceal carry. Your employer has the ability to terminate you for violating their rules. That is another level of consideration. Legally, there is nothing they can do to you for carrying (as long as your are not violating the law) but they can fire you which will leave a mark.
My suggestion would be not to every say anything about carrying to events like that. Operate within the letter of the law.
It varies by state but there are certain places under the law you cannot carry (courts, police stations, schools etc.) those are technically the only places you cannot legal conceal carry. Your employer has the ability to terminate you for violating their rules. That is another level of consideration. Legally, there is nothing they can do to you for carrying (as long as your are not violating the law) but they can fire you which will leave a mark.
My suggestion would be not to every say anything about carrying to events like that. Operate within the letter of the law.
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I would carry unless it is against the rules of the country club you will be at. From what I can by what you posted it is not against the policy of the company. You are not on company property / work place.
Just because your supervisor has a problem with someone carrying it is not yours to worry about. I would conceal carry it and just not let anyone know you have it. If the pistol is too big to CC, then you have the wrong type of pistol.
Just because your supervisor has a problem with someone carrying it is not yours to worry about. I would conceal carry it and just not let anyone know you have it. If the pistol is too big to CC, then you have the wrong type of pistol.
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What are the rules of the country club concerning weapons on it's grounds? And is it worth losing your job for? Personally , I think it's asinine on the company's part, but it is their event.
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LTC (Join to see)
I get what you say about mandatory fun, but if you really believe there is some hightened reason that your particular function will be attacked, then it would be nuts to attend. In fact, if you feel that way about the threat, you should explain it to the highest level boss you can and urge them to cancel the party. Think about it this way. If there is actually an attack, there is no way you could be confident that just the fact you are carrying will stop you or loved ones from getting killed. So lets say (forgive this horrible example) you or your wife get shot before you can return fire. How would you feel thinking "I thought this might happen, but they said it was mandatory so I went anyway knowing I might be risking my life.
So if I was going to blow off a company rule, I would blow off the mandatory attendance, after telling the boss my concerns, rather then attend anyway and blow off the no carry rule. If you really think something will happen that you will need your gone, dont go. Now, if your concerns are not actually based on anything other than the recent company party shooting and the one in Dallas, thats different. The truth is that statisically speaking, the chance of a random attack happening at your party are so miniscule as to approach zero. I would guess that the chances of you having an accidental discharge, though unlikey, is actually much higher than an attack. And thats why many companies have those restrictions.
Didnt mean to type so long, so heres my cliff notes. If you really have info that something might happen, dont go. If not, either tell the boss you cant go due to your fear of being in public unarmed, and see what happens. You have a much better chance of keeping your job for missing a party vs carrying against policy.
So if I was going to blow off a company rule, I would blow off the mandatory attendance, after telling the boss my concerns, rather then attend anyway and blow off the no carry rule. If you really think something will happen that you will need your gone, dont go. Now, if your concerns are not actually based on anything other than the recent company party shooting and the one in Dallas, thats different. The truth is that statisically speaking, the chance of a random attack happening at your party are so miniscule as to approach zero. I would guess that the chances of you having an accidental discharge, though unlikey, is actually much higher than an attack. And thats why many companies have those restrictions.
Didnt mean to type so long, so heres my cliff notes. If you really have info that something might happen, dont go. If not, either tell the boss you cant go due to your fear of being in public unarmed, and see what happens. You have a much better chance of keeping your job for missing a party vs carrying against policy.
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