B. Adams
Member
For the last two years I've been working in Iowa, where carry permits are scarce. My South Dakota permit isn't valid in Iowa, and I couldn't get an Iowa permit even if I lived there, so I haven't been carrying in Iowa. I started a new job today just a few blocks from my house in South Dakota, where I can legally carry pretty much anywhere, and I carried an XD-40 in my laptop bag just in case they had a restrictive carry policy. They also have a business casual dress code, and all my dress pants are a little too small for me (I bought some new ones this evening), so it wasn't practical to try to conceal on my person. I didn't want to be made my first day of work, after all. But after today, I no longer feel comfortable carrying in my bag, since personal property can be subject to search (not common), to prevent theft and other abuse. In the future I will carry in my IWB tuckable holster, since I have pants that fit now.
Anyway, today I read through the employee handbook, and they do have a weapons policy (that I think I can ignore). At the beginning of the handbook, it states in bold, "...this manual is not intended nor should it be deemed to be a contract of employment between (the company) and it's employees. This manual is not a contract." Their weapons policy described later on is simply, "Unauthorized possession, display or use of a weapon" is regarded as "misconduct," which will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination." It's on a list of a few dozen other things, like excessive tardiness, theft, ignoring the dress code, sexual harassment, all the usual things. Just a standard list of stuff that employers dislike.
So, they have a policy that indicates that the corporation feels that "unauthorized posession of weapons" is a danger to employees, while the State of South Dakota has determined that my possession of a handgun concealed on my person is not dangerous to others. I had a background check done when I got my permit, I had a background check when I got my C&R, I have a background check done every time I buy a new gun (often ), and this company asked me for permission to do a background check, which I assume they followed through on, when I interviewed with them a few weeks ago.
I'm of the opinion that since the State of South Dakota authorizes me to carry, that it's been determined through multiple background checks that I am of sound character, and that the employee handbook is simply a list of guidelines and specifically "not a contract," that I am well within my rights to carry a concealed handgun as I see fit.
Obviously I don't ever want to test this policy, the last thing I want is for anyone to know I've got a gun. I'm of the opinion that "concealed means concealed." Open carry is legal here, but guns scare too many people to make it practical. The worst case scenario if my employer ever found out I was carrying would be that I'd get fired, which is something that wouldn't bother me all that much. It's not exactly a long-term career goal to be working here, although it is a pretty decent job for the time being.
I'm interested in seeing who agrees and disagrees with my interpretation of company policy, and how you feel about the decision to carry at my new job. Personally, I'm glad I can finally exercise my rights at work without restrictions from an oppressive State government. Let me know what you think.
Anyway, today I read through the employee handbook, and they do have a weapons policy (that I think I can ignore). At the beginning of the handbook, it states in bold, "...this manual is not intended nor should it be deemed to be a contract of employment between (the company) and it's employees. This manual is not a contract." Their weapons policy described later on is simply, "Unauthorized possession, display or use of a weapon" is regarded as "misconduct," which will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination." It's on a list of a few dozen other things, like excessive tardiness, theft, ignoring the dress code, sexual harassment, all the usual things. Just a standard list of stuff that employers dislike.
So, they have a policy that indicates that the corporation feels that "unauthorized posession of weapons" is a danger to employees, while the State of South Dakota has determined that my possession of a handgun concealed on my person is not dangerous to others. I had a background check done when I got my permit, I had a background check when I got my C&R, I have a background check done every time I buy a new gun (often ), and this company asked me for permission to do a background check, which I assume they followed through on, when I interviewed with them a few weeks ago.
I'm of the opinion that since the State of South Dakota authorizes me to carry, that it's been determined through multiple background checks that I am of sound character, and that the employee handbook is simply a list of guidelines and specifically "not a contract," that I am well within my rights to carry a concealed handgun as I see fit.
Obviously I don't ever want to test this policy, the last thing I want is for anyone to know I've got a gun. I'm of the opinion that "concealed means concealed." Open carry is legal here, but guns scare too many people to make it practical. The worst case scenario if my employer ever found out I was carrying would be that I'd get fired, which is something that wouldn't bother me all that much. It's not exactly a long-term career goal to be working here, although it is a pretty decent job for the time being.
I'm interested in seeing who agrees and disagrees with my interpretation of company policy, and how you feel about the decision to carry at my new job. Personally, I'm glad I can finally exercise my rights at work without restrictions from an oppressive State government. Let me know what you think.