Hassled at work about firearms

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Checking out a customer's firearm and having a conversation about it is not in your job description is it?
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Probably not, unless he's in the sales department, which he may be because he mentioned having a desk. If he's in sales anything goes that makes the sale, is cost effective from the resources (including his time) basis, and isn't illegal. My point is (and I'm also a business owner) that there MAY be some gray area here. I would be very hesitant to stifle a salesman that was producing for me.

Don't get me wrong, the ones fixing the cars... But, my experience in the auto repair business is that they are paid on a commission. So again, as long as the guy was/is producing I'd probably let it slide no matter what he did that didn't put me in a situation of being legally liable for anything.
 
you were looking for a job when you found that one. God forbid you have a good repore with the police. I use to work security at a condo. every night at least 3 cruisers would come by and chat for a few minutes while I was making my rounds. after about a month or so of having free police presences at any giving time I was asked to tell my friends to stop coming over because the residents were uncomfortable with the cruisers coming in and out all night. :confused:
 
We are know and talk about our Second Amendment rights. In this case doesn't your First Amendment rights come into play...freedom of speech! Talk to an attorney and tell those jerks to kiss your butt(pistol butt that is). :D
 
Shut up and do your job, unless talking guns is more important than feeding your family. Talk firearms after you are clocked out.
 
One thing I've observed about some people, while in positions of authority, is they can be really "brave". As long as they hold something over you. It's a petty and insecure person with a temporary hold on some power over someone else; makes them feel important. Usually, these people are not of the mindset of truely free and independent people, which is why many gun and self defense activists clash with them. Liberals, for instance, expect others to do for them; provide social and physical security. The gun toter has probably considered providing his own security, thus controlling his environment, at least a bit, on his own terms. This is entirely foreign to liberals; that is why they "don't get" us. Your bosses are somewhere in there. Chicago area isn't pro-gun like some other parts of the country, in general, so relocating as some have stated (move to Texas, etc), or finding a pro gun place of employment to work in are probably the only solutions. After being humiliated on my last job (I have now been self employed for 13 years), I only WISH I had walked out on them, saying what I felt. I deeply regret that. You only get one life to stand for what you believe. Don't apologize or let your self be humiliated when you know you are right. You'll regret it.
 
The best way to keep a job is to follow the instructions your boss gives you.

Here is a general case. Let's suppose you are the boss. You ask an employee not to do something, even if it is stepping outside of bounds. The employee continues to do it. You know that you cannot fire the employee for doing such a thing, you will find something else that you can do it for. Right or wrong, it is what it is.

The first amendment limits what the government can do, not what an employer can do.
 
Hostile work environment

Might be tough to make that argument when you are the one handling firearms!:)

In any case, a private employer can fire you for anything they want, as long as it doesn't run afoul of EEO regulations. I'm certain that handling firearms on the clock is not covered by EEO law.

HOWEVER, if other employees are permitted to talk with customers about non-business related items, but you are being singled out for your POLITICAL (RKBA) views (something that IS covered by EEO law), you might have a case.
 
I've been getting just the opposite where I work. People who have never shown an interest in guns before are coming to me for advice on what gun to buy and how to learn to use it.
 
You know why I love my mechanic? Because he has "America's First Freedom" sitting in the waiting area, as well as the thick Cabela's catalogs.

They want you to leave. They're building a checklist so that when they fire you, they have a thick file of reasons to do so.

Find a new job, tell them to kiss your butt, quit, AND continue to be a shooting buddy with the ones who like it. :)
 
Car repair shop guys who are afraid to talk guns?

Never heard of that before. Do they only do work on BMW's and Mercedes?:evil:
 
Although you and we on this board would love to talk to you about firearms, you should just get it in your head right now that it is in-apppropriate for you to act contrary to what the owners of a firm want with regard to their customers. You have very little wiggle room here.

Think of this really as not a firearms issue and an infringement on your rights. The conversation could have been about flowers, competitors or planets. If your employer prohibits you from doing a certain thing, then that is the law within that environment. If you don't like it, you know where the door is and it is your choice of whether or not to stay there.

We here like to throw around the 2nd amendment argument and the freedom argument and this is an instance where you are certainly free to leave and go where you don't feel you are singled out. Channeling it back to the employer will not be worth your personal or financial effort. They have every right to instruct you as to how you should behave at their site.

It has always been my contention that one should keep one's mouth shut in the workplace about our hobby because I know the perception from the other side will automatically lump me into that group "clinging to guns and religion." Seriously, that is what they think when the word "gun" is mentioned. It is a very narrow-minded view and dangerous; that's why I avoid it. There are many many other reasons why you shouldn't talk about your gun interests at work but those are just a few. They think we are irrational when in fact morally they are the irrational ones; work is no place for these arguments to evolve because it could mean your job!
 
HOWEVER, if other employees are permitted to talk with customers about non-business related items, but you are being singled out for your POLITICAL (RKBA) views (something that IS covered by EEO law), you might have a case.
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This is not true at a federal level regarding a private employer.
 
Jorg

You are correct. The prohibition against discrimination based on political views is a local/state one and may or may not be in place where you live. Thanks for the clarification.
 
Actually, it's really pretty simple.

You work for a man and you take his money for it - you do what he tells you.

You don't like that - you leave.

Why does everybody have to make such a complicated issue out of it?

:cool:
 
Follow directions.

As they are your boss you should refrain from all gun related topics while at work.

If the son is indeed 21 and wants to learn to shoot you have every right to pursue this on your own time.

I would seek legal counsel and representation before time, then if you are dismissed because of off hour activities (legal of course) I would take them straight to court!

This is still a free country and they CANNOT dictate the actions of 2 consenting adults during their free time!

:cuss:
 
In this case doesn't your First Amendment rights come into play...freedom of speech!

The Constitution is there to protect you from the government no provate employers.

you are being singled out for your POLITICAL (RKBA) views (something that IS covered by EEO law), you might have a case.

Politics or guns is not covered by EEO.

I would seek legal counsel and representation before time, then if you are dismissed because of off hour activities (legal of course) I would take them straight to court!


Why would you want to get in a three way argument. Between you, your boss, and his son guess who's going to be the biggest loser. You could be dismissed because of handling guns at work and your boss could be totally in his rights to do so. Straight to court? What could you win? All types of people are fired for off duty activities legal or not.

Shut up and do your job, unless talking guns is more important than feeding your family. Talk firearms after you are clocked out.


Most concise and practical advice given here. Meef wins honorable mention.
 
I live in FL. I also work at an airport so guns are a big no-no. My employer backed up by the feds make sure that guns are not allowed on the property. I like my job, I also like my guns as long as I keep both of those things seperate, no problem. I guess it all depends on how much you like your job and where you want to make your stand.
 
Go out and stomp the bricks for another job, "preferably with better pay" and walk out. Ask for your final paycheck with all vacation time on it, and get out with no notice.

Remember they won't give you a notice.

I'm retired now, but this was my attidude for years and never ever had trouble finding work. Everyone one always says the record will go with you, BS.

BTW I always worked in managemt.
 
Mann...!! what a bunch of uptight sissys... and to be in a Automotive repair shop... I am speachless. I myself am in the Auto repair business soon to go law inforcement. And we all carry here at work. I actually had to pull at work when a co worker was getting the life beaten out of him by a few gang members. It saved his life without firing a shot. And who is to say that legal carry just gets more people hurt.... Oh wait that would be the Brady bunch. Your bosses are sissys and should own flower shops or mabye a Bistro....
 
Next time you talk with IT make sure you have some one near you if possible; and discreetly have someone tell the son who's 21, about his DAD .... :).

Glad you were not talking about religion: had you said anything about the religious preferrence of those trying to annilate US... ya might have been tar'd and Feather'd on the spot..
 
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