Gun in car

[Guest Benelli Nova Guy]

My job says we cannot have firearms in our cars at work. Is there some state law that supports or overturns this? I've been told both ways. Some clarification would be nice.

[VolunteerGuns]

No. TN does NOT currently have a law allowing an employee to possess a weapon on company property. Employer says no, thats it. No. It has been studied the last couple of legislative sessions, but never made it anywhere.

[Erik88]

who cares IMO, name 1 circumstance where an employer is going to search your vehicle.. Keep it in your car and don't ask questions, if you keep your mouth shut no one will ever know.

What if you have to stop and get gas/groceries etc after or before work, that policy would leave you defenseless to and from your way to work.

[macville]

No. TN does NOT currently have a law allowing an employee to possess a weapon on company property. Employer says no, thats it. No. It has been studied the last couple of legislative sessions, but never made it anywhere.

However, just because your employer says something, doesn't mean it isn't still legal. If they do a legal posting, then it would be illegal. However, if they just say you can't under threat of losing your job, then it's still legal...just depends if losing your job is worth it (better question is...is losing your life because you didn't have it worth it...)

If they are not legally posted and you don't mind the risk of losing your job, get a car safe that you can bolt in under your seat and stay mum about it at work.

Matthew

[inspecting1]

and hope they don't have the law out to through the parking lot with a dog

[molonlabetn]

An employer policy isn't law, so it won't make you a criminal (unless you work at a school, possibly)... but considering the penalty is losing your job, potentially, that's at least a good reason to make sure they never have a reason to search your car.

I would take an employer's demand to search my vehicle as a sign they were looking for a reason to get rid of me anyways... just a thought.

[tnhawk]

who cares IMO, name 1 circumstance where an employer is going to search your vehicle.. Keep it in your car and don't ask questions, if you keep your mouth shut no one will ever know.

1. FedEX

2. Valero Refinery

3. Crompton

4. Penn Chemical

just a few of the places I know having a weapon in personal vehicle during random searches will result in termination.

[JAB]

name 1 circumstance where an employer is going to search your vehicle.

I work at a satellite campus of a private college. Of course, this means that having a firearm in my vehicle is probably against the law in addition to being against my employer's policy.

While not very likely (I will have worked here five years this coming September and it hasn't happened, yet) there is always the possibility of someone calling in a 'bomb threat' or other type of threat, etc. Were that to happen, we'd obviously have LEO with dogs searching around. Those dogs would likely hit on my vehicle, anyway, simply because I do have firearms and ammo in it, sometimes. I don't need the LEOs finding a firearm in my vehicle under such circumstances. Again, maybe not very likely but I named one circumstance, just as you asked.

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

You can eventually find another job if you get fired. You can't find another life if you get shot during lunch.

[Erik88]

1. FedEX

2. Valero Refinery

3. Crompton

4. Penn Chemical

just a few of the places I know having a weapon in personal vehicle during random searches will result in termination.

how do they have the right to search your vehicle?

[I_Like_Pie]

how do they have the right to search your vehicle?

They don't have the right, but since we live in a "Right to Work" state...refusal to allow it could result in termination.

[JReedEsq]

They don't have the right, but since we live in a "Right to Work" state...refusal to allow it could result in termination.

+1; In Tennessee, you are an employee at will and unless you have an employment contract, they can fire you for any reason not protected by federal law. Examples of firings prohibited by federal law would be any action based on gender, race, religious preference, and to a lesser extent, age and disability. The last two categories are not subject to "strict scrutiny" which means there are limited circumstances where they can be factors in a termination and/or hiring preferences. I'm not sure what kind of area you work in, but my suggestion would be to just park somewhere off the premesis.

Edited May 13, 2010 by JReedEsq

[monkeylizard]

my suggestion would be to just park somewhere off the premesis.

+1

[StPatrick]

They don't have the right, but since we live in a "Right to Work" state...refusal to allow it could result in termination.

Many large businesses address their "no weapons" policy during new employee orientation, and require the new hire to sign a legal document stating that they understand, and will comply with, company policies. Even without a legal posting, this creates grounds for instant termination due to willful violation of company policies.

As far as rights go, if they own the parking lot, they get to tell you what's in it; it's the same as your right to decide who and what is allowed in your house.

As a disarmed corporate drone myself, I don't like it, I wish some kind of solution respecting my rights and my employer's rights could be found, but I choose to live with the status quo because groceries don't buy themselves. The first guy or girl who figures out how to untangle this problem is my next hero.

[Guest Benelli Nova Guy]

I'm trying to find a place off site to park, however I've got a school and a public park as my neighbors, so no go there. Thanks for the answers.

[56FordGuy]

... Were that to happen, we'd obviously have LEO with dogs searching around. Those dogs would likely hit on my vehicle, anyway, simply because I do have firearms and ammo in it, sometimes.

I was unaware that police dogs were able to detect the scent of metal and a small amount of smokeless powder. What makes you think they would smell a firearm?

[Mike.357]

public park as my neighbors, so no go there.

A park is not an automatic no go anymore

[Guest Benelli Nova Guy]

This park is posted no firearms on the grounds. Pigeon Forge is not very 2A friendly...

[Oh Shoot]

This park is posted no firearms on the grounds. Pigeon Forge is not very 2A friendly...

Perhaps a technicality, but parks have to be exactly posted correctly, verbatim wording as per the statute, even minimum size mandated.

So if it isn't, well....

- OS

[aquaman67]

how do they have the right to search your vehicle?

It's very simple.

You agree to the search by coming onto THEIR property. They make the rules. If you want to work there, you play by their rules, period.

Just going onto Ft. Campbell, for example, makes you subject to a search any time an MP feels like doing it...

[Patrick Henry]

There was a case a few yrs ago in a central northern state where the employer brought in a dog to sniff cars for guns. The dog found a couple and the employees were fired. They filed suit but I do not recall the background.

This is TN and having moved here from the socialist NE I was pleasantly surprised by the # of folks who have guns and keep them in their cars. With that in mind I doubt many employers would search their parking lot and if they did the outcry from other employees and the public would be great. But you still might lose your job. Lawyers are trained to tell you when you are at risk and to tell what to do to avoid the risk; however many of them will not assess or tell you how likely or unlikely the risk is to happen. Companies frequently make a no guns policy, with no real intent of policing it, it is done just to legally cover themselves from a law suit if there were a shooting by an employee. If the company's head quarters are local my guess is the search is unlikely, especially if any of the very senior executives carry, shoot, or hunt. So my thought is assess the likely hood of a search and make your decision.

[Guest Benelli Nova Guy]

The only time the company has searched cars was when my store was robbed. the other scenario is if you are suspected of theft. Denial to search your car is immediate dismissal. They have even gone as far as saying I can't carry off the clock in our stores. If I shop there I have to leave the gun at home or park at the bank across the street.

[Chucktshoes]

They have even gone as far as saying I can't carry off the clock in our stores. If I shop there I have to leave the gun at home or park at the bank across the street.

My employer has the same policy, for that reason I am not supposed to carry on any Walgreens property at any time. I compromise with them by not shopping at any Walgreens I have worked at. Plus, as long as I am properly concealed, who's to know?

[DaveTN]

I was unaware that police dogs were able to detect the scent of metal and a small amount of smokeless powder. What makes you think they would smell a firearm?

EOD Dogs and drug dogs can sniff out whatever they are trained for.

[Guest (BH)]

and hope they don't have the law out to through the parking lot with a dog

I was unaware that police dogs were able to detect the scent of metal and a small amount of smokeless powder. What makes you think they would smell a firearm?

I was actually just looking into this stuff the other night. Here's some stuff to make you think twice...

Oklahoma: 12 fired from Weyerhaeuser for guns in cars - THR

Gun owners claim right to take their rifles to work - THR

Can bomb-sniffing dogs smell a pistol inside a car from outside? - THR

Dogs Love the Smell of Gunpowder in the Morning: Drug Sniffing Dogs | A Moment of Science - Indiana Public Media

So yeah, if they bring in the dogs (which has, and does, happen), you're F'ed.