While driving a State vehicle...

[clemsonu0219]

Pertaining to South Carolina..

Does anyone know the legality of having a handgun with you while driving a state issued vehicle?

I work for the state but I am not a law enforcement officer. I do have a Concealed Handgun Permit.

Thanks in advance.

 

[garymc]

You were looking for a job when you found that one, right? I'd consult the employee manual and travel regs. You'll probably find non-LEO employees are prohibited from having weapons on the clock and on or off the clock no weapons in the state car.

 

[SMMAssociates]

clemson:

garymc is probably right.... Off the clock you probably could get away with it, but the problem is what happens when you need to go into a State building of some kind. In most states, those are off-limits to licensees regardless of the nature of the building.

(Here in OH, Turnpike rest stops and highway rest areas were off-limits until just recently!)

Off topic: The former day job owned a small textile plant in Anderson SC. I used to be there two or three times a year. Cranked off our local accountant (in Seneca) when I couldn't stay over to catch a Clemsen game.... I would start seeing tiger paws in NC....

(A lot of Clemsen girls worked in Anderson. Restaurants, mostly. Incredible.... I was allowed to look, but the wife wouldn't even let me do "catch & release" ....)

The company fell apart about fifteen years ago, unfortunately.

Back to topic: You should have an employee manual....

'Course there was a certain Patrolman hereabouts who got into a fight with his supervisor about how to wear those little "collar tabs" - the things with "YPD" on 'em. Across the collar, parallel with the long side, or parallel with the short side. Eventually, he demanded to see the manual, and was told that he couldn't. Got sent home....

He was on the desk for many years. Every time he took a car out, he wrecked it. I bumped into him and the Chief at a funeral - a mutual friend - and noticed that the Chief was driving instead of the Patrolman. I had to ask.... "Ride with him?".... El Hefe was a pretty bright guy....

Regards,

 

[ForumSurfer]

Your department should have a book containing employee policy. There also should be info on the internal website. Ask your director (or an administrative assistant who has been there awhile) where you can find the policies on company vehicles.

I'm also willing to bet it's just like NC, in that your answer will be a big, fat, honkin "No you may not carry a gun in our vehicle (unless you are a sworn officer)." We're required to sign all policies pertaining to driving when given a vehicle, and we're required to sign them again if there are any revisions made to the document. I pay careful attention to these. The last one made it against policy for me or my fellow agency employees to even have a firearm in our personal vehicles while in the employee parking lot and on the clock, unless I am a sworn officer (which I am not).

 

[ForumSurfer]

IDK but seriously, this world is to full of pointless rules. Im sick of big government, im no longer going to make an effort to know and obey the "dumb" laws.

Dumb or not any government agency or company that I have worked for made it against policy for me to carry a firearm in their vehicle. That's not really government in action, that's an agency/company covering their legal liabilities. I don't like it, but I can understand it from their financial responsibility perspective.

(Deleted OT noise quote -- Sam)

 

[SMMAssociates]

Dunno....

All the Clemson girls I saw (or at least looked at ) were, well, my wife would have killed me....

'Course, I may never have seen the larger ones - I actually never got into town. Seneca and Anderson are easily within commuting distance, though.

Here in OH, even thinking about owning a gun while walking by a State vehicle may be a crime. When our CHL law went into effect, the BMV told it's Deputy Registrars (franchisees, not State employees!) to post, or else they'd lose the franchise. Much complaining letters later, the Deputy Registrars are now on the list of absolutely forbidden (we call it "enumerated" - like jails) places.... I wish I'd saved the picture of the front door with the bullet hole below the "no guns" sign as a result of a shootout in that early few months. Manager v.s. BG.... I don't use that Deputy anymore....

Regards,

 

[ny32182]

I'd definitely check the regs and also determine whether those are actual laws you are dealing with, or just "company policies"... If employed by the state, I bet they are laws.

But I really just posted to say... Clemson '05 here. Do you work for the school in any capacity? When I was a student, it was illegal (against the law illegal) not only to carry on campus, but to have a gun stowed in your car on campus also. I've heard a rumor that the latter part of that statement has changed, but don't go on campus often enough anymore to check into it. Of course a state vehicle is very possibly subjected to additional restrictions.

 

[ForumSurfer]

If employed by the state, I bet they are laws.

Not likely. State and local agencies enact policies just as corporations do. You've got to watch them since they are subject to management errors and could start stepping on you perceived rights. Arguably, I think may agencies decision to ban only employees from having firearms in their personal vehicles is dead wrong.

No guns in company vehicles however, is a policy I can live with. The company (or government entity) that you work for assumes legal and financial liability. If you're going to have employees going around armed, they'll need a different insurance policy.

Still, I'm interested to hear what the policy is for the OP's agency once he finds out. I've yet to work for a company or government agency that didn't ban firearms in work vehicles unless you are a sworn officer or the firearm is required by your job (licensed private security guards and such), though I am sure there may be a few out there.

 

[Bear 45/70]

Each state is different. Here in Washington State I can walk into any state building with an Openly Carried weapon and be totally within my rights and legal. You need to check your agency's policies and also the states overall policies. Asking your supervisor is probably a good way to lose your job or at least become a member of some sort of watch list, as most supervisor are paranoid and will not react well to questions about firearms.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Asking your supervisor is probably a good way to lose your job

Exactly. That is why you ask to see all of the driving policies. That way you don't ask for anything specific. Chances are, it is less than 10 pages and should only take a few minutes to browse over. Government agencies are very upfront with their employees about letting them view any policies, especially since chances are you signed them before you took the keys.

 

[Ron James]

If you lived in the state of Arizona and driving a state car, if they find out that you are carrying a concealed firearm ( Non Leo or authorized Correction), yes, you will be looking for a new job. They have no sense of humor in such matters. If you feel it is worth the chance, well, research the term " deep concealment " which means a very small gun. I first carried a .25 Colt then a Kel-Tec P-32, in a ankle rig with Rancher boots. Like the man said , I was looking for a job when I found that one. One more note for the road, keep your own counsel, there are many, many, so called friends who will turn you in in a heart beat for a chance to suck up to the boss

 

[wishin]

I don't know SC's state policy on that score, but like many of the responders here, I would be willing to bet that it's frowned upon. You're an expendable employee, how can you expect any different?

 

[beatcop]

Totally opinion based:

State issued vehicle? I'm guessing it's not a take home vehicle, so I'd prob say you already have an idea on how it will fall. If a gun isn't part of your job/job description, I'd say that they will not want to incur responsibility for any acts committed while you're on their dime.

If it's not specifically in the employee manual, you may not want to mention it at all.

One more note for the road, keep your own counsel, there are many, many, so called friends who will turn you in in a heart beat for a chance to suck up to the boss

Ditto...this is good advice.

 

[LiquidTension]

There is a section of the CWP law that states that any public or private employer may restrict carrying while you are working, and most state agencies do. You'll have to check your agency specifically, but the chances are pretty slim.

 

[clemsonu0219]

Thanks for all the responses guys