Hassled at work about firearms

[BigGuy52]

I work at a automotive repair shop and both of my two owners hate guns and it seems anyone who is interested in guns is looked at they are some kind of a nut, felon, or possible bad guy.
I've tried in vain explaining my position and my rights expressly written in the Second Ammendment to no avail.
My latest incident, which I was reprimanded for involved a conversation about pocket carry guns with a customer who is a retired police officer. The customer came into the store and wanted to show me his new Ruger semi-auto .380. The gun was unloaded, and given to me so I could try out the feel of it. I was very discreet, made sure no other customers were in the showroom, and looked at the gun behind my desk.
When my customer left, both of my owners took me into the office and said from this date forward, I will not discuss firearms with any customer or employee or I would be terminated. No discussion.
Being that I'm such a good employee that really ticked me off. So I invited a fellow employee to go shooting with me at the range, he never shot a gun before but has expressed a great interest. Turned out he was a pretty good shot, and has asked to go again. He asked that I help him pick out his first handgun, which we are looking for this weekend.
Now, one of the owner's son wants to shoot and has asked to go shooting with me (he's 21yrs old). My boss approached me and said he forbids me talking anything gun realted with his son, and told me to 'Stop pushing the matter'.
Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Thoughts from anyone?

 

[NobleSniper]

Look for a job, find one, and then with no notice tell the owners to kiss your backside...........and do not be polite about it.

 

[heron]

I have to wonder if what they're doing is altogether legal . . . may be a gray area, but if you got fired for that, you should find an attorney real quick.

 

[Hugo]

Not a lawyer but possible legal gray area or at least boss overstepping bounds since they're trying to control what you think and casually talk about with people interested in this topic. Check with state or federal Dept of labor about this. As usual document things (date, time, conversation, people, etc...) if you're considering a lawsuit or get fired and talk to a lawyer for wrongful termination.

Looking for a new job (tough now I know) might be the best option.

 

[NCsmitty]

It's indeed difficult to work at a place that's causes you constant consternation over an issue that you believe in.
Unfortunately, they are your bosses and not a fellow employee, and I personally would not tolerate being threatened with the loss of my job.
If possible, a new job would be the order of the day.
Good luck.

NCsmitty

 

[skoro]

Those guys own their shop. They don't own you. And you can't do anything about their psychosis. If I were you, as long as you continue to work there, I'd never bring up the subject of guns again. And definitley not offer to take the 21 yr old out for an intro to handguns.

If it was me, I'd be looking for more suitable employment. But I'd give 'em the two weeks notice and try to leave on good terms. You'll need their references in the future.

Good luck!

 

[Martyk]

Get a picture of an AR15 Tattooed on your neck... you can still promote the sport and technically... you won't be "Talking" about it..

 

[MCgunner]

Move to Texas.

 

[mcdonl]

This reminds me of the book Gravest Extreme... I would just not talk about guns at work.

Guns are what we enjoy, not who we are and not worth losing a job over the right to talk about them.

Work is for feeding the family, not for pushing a political agenda.

Just my opinion.

 

[thesolidus]

don't burn bridges, won't do you any good, make you feel better, or help your 2nd rights. Tell the son your not allowed to talk to him anymore about it and tell him why, maybe hook him up with further information or a Leo biddy to take him shooting instead.
Watch your speech at work, they can fire you easily and though you might have a case against, you'd be talking an expensive and long legal battle you'd probably lose.
Instead, substitute words. Works for me!
Talk with PD or carrying customers, say "yeah, I'm a 'sportsman' too." wink wink. We all know the problem about talking guns at work.
Talk about 'defense' and 'wild food' or 'catching turkey' to subsitute 'guns, shooting and hunting.'. It sounds ridiculous but didn't set off as many alarms with bosses and coworkers. If they freak out then you look all peaceful environental guy and say ' boss, I never said anything bout guns, just talking bout 'catching turkey' (or survival tools or whatever) guns ain't a part if that. I know you're afraid of guns so I don't ever talk about that.
(now you've made them look like they wrongly accused you, overreacted and have little girl with a spider like fears so delicate poor you can't say a specific word without scaring them.
Talk of politics at work is always dangerous. Talk about 'rights' not 'gun rights' and talk about your political party's role in those 'rights'. Again, avoid the word 'gun' if you can.
Now if boss gets upset you know it's less a guns issue and more that they don't like working with someone of different political affiliation. Being fired for being a supporter of the Rep / Dem whatever party is a while other ball of wax isn't it?
Good luck, remember, work is what you do not who you are.

 

[SaxonPig]

In my workplace I am surrounded by raging Liberals with whom I disagree on about 95% of all political and social topics.

I keep my mouth shut and do my work.

 

[stang99gtv8]

I'd find another job, then (if you don't care about the reference) walk in and tell them you are feeling discriminated against for exercising a constitutional right, and you have contacted the ACLU (bwahaha) who said they gladly will be looking into the matter.

Of course that's B.S. but what a great way to get them pissed, worried, thinking uh oh real quick.

I don't care if it's your work vs. your beliefs or not, if someone tells me I cannot speak of an unalienable right, they can kiss my rear. Cannot discriminate on beliefs, and if you were muslim or any other religion that required a special time or prayer and such, they would give it to you. If you believe in your rights, tel the world and screw the bosses. New job!

 

[runrabbitrun]

It's so good to be self employed. lol

 

[danprkr]

The reply by thesolidus is to me totally unpalatable. My mental make up would not allow me to be bullied this way. Especially when it comes to speaking to the ADULT age son. I would probably take the conversations with the son to after hours and off site. Specifically so that I could pick a 1st amendment fight.

Of course I have to work for myself since I'm the only one that can stand to have me for an employee.

 

[Walkalong]

I would end up getting fired there, but that is just me.

 

[#shooter]

Unless your employer is the government and depending on the state you live in, chances are you are not an at will employee and they don't need a reason for firing you. If it is intolerable then be nice and look for another job. With the economy as it is I wouldn't rock the boat.

 

[Route2]

I am intrigued

Did they ever give you a reason why they are so anti-gun? Have others complained?

 

[SigP229R]

These two jerks sound like the type that want to legislate what you can and can't do even while you are not at work. This is something to me that is highly objectionable and, also an invasion of your privacy. The one guy who's son is 21 and asking to go shooting sounds to me like he wants to be a dictator and rule any and everyone according to his rules and way of thinking.
Last job I worked for tried their best to ram direct deposit down everyone's throat. They first asked you and if you refused then you were bombarded with literature enclosed in your pay envelope every payday trying to get you to use it. In my state if you work for the school system you are mandated to tell them if you even get a traffic citation and, if you don't you are automatically terminated when and if they find out. Sorry about the soap box but I have just had it with businesses trying to legislate peoples personel lives when they are not on the job.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

1. Move out of Chicago and IL.
2.Find job at your new location.-Probably #2 should be first.
3. Drop a dime to the Dept of Labor--detailing any infractions.

 

[statelineblues]

I have to agree with the posts that say you should (discreetly) look for another job - because, yes, the owners probably can fire you for 'no cause'.

That said, I don't know your situation, but these owners sound like they are trying to control you on and off the job. Not a place I would like to work.

 

[svtruth]

I am not a lawyer, but

it seems to me that they are creating a "hostile work environment". The basis for many successful sexual discrimination lawsuits.
Good luck.

 

[meef]

I work at a automotive repair shop and both of my two owners hate guns

Your two owners?

Whoa! Are you an employee or a slave?

 

[lvcat2004]

I don't understand what the big deal is here....how much do you like your job?

You work at an automotive repair shop, which has nothing to do with guns....I don't know how guns even come up in a conversation.

As a business owner myself, I don't want my employees chitchattig about unrelated subject and I can tell them to stop yapping and get to work. Whether it be about guns, American Idol, religion.....if it's not related to work, your employer has the right to tell their emloyees to stop yapping and get back to work, else find a new job. Checking out a customer's firearm and having a conversation about it is not in your job description is it?

 

[jon_in_wv]

Honestly, I wasn't surprised to see your in Chicago. That place has all kinds of problems. I would start looking for a job elsewhere. It sounds like your just not a good fit there.
If they are that anti-gun I wouldn't push the issue at work. They own the place and its private property. If they want to forbid firearms its their right but they were really cowardly by not asking the retired officer to leave. They obviously think they have some hold on you they shouldn't have. Find a new place to work.

I agree with above also. Some of your conduct isn't really right for the workplace and you should probably take a look at that.

I worked for a stone cutting plant in Minnesota. I was getting a job as a bartender and when I asked for a night off in a week to train at my new job the owner said, "the white man's way would have been to give us some notice." (We are both white BTW and I had already given them 2 weeks notice.) I told him, "You may own this plant but you don't own me. I hope you know how to operate these 5 gang saws I have running because I QUIT." He made some red faced comments about how I better turn in my hardhat and I told him to get my final paycheck. We did both and I've never looked back. It was hard financially for a little bit but I left with my dignity. I don't regret it at all.

 

[maskedman504]

FL is a 'right to work' state; no cause is needed to fire an employee.

Being that your orientation is so skewed from that of your employers, it is advisable to seek new, gainful employment under a like-minded (with you)employer.