Weapons at Work: Must-Know HR Policies for Concealed and Carry Weapons
Do you have a widespread company policy involving firearms? Should you? Recent incidents like the shooting at YouTube’s headquarters suggest businesses should consider it.
Below we’ll get into a brief overview of why companies enforce weapons policies. We’ll also discuss potential legal concerns and show a sample policy for you to consider.
Keep in mind that laws surrounding concealed carry weapons vary from state to state. Continue on to get the latest information on HR firearm policies.
Why You Should Consider Workplace Gun Policies
In 2016, over 500 workplace homicides occurred. Shootings accounted for over 79% of those homicides.
Gun control is a controversial topic, but employers also have a duty to keep their employees safe. It’s federally mandated that employers:
- Identify potential vulnerabilities like shootouts
- Provide a safe workplace
- Take steps to prevent workplace violence
That means you need to develop a policy on violence, which includes the topic of concealed guns. You may also need to tackle the issue of devices that are potential weapons such as a knife, air pistol, or taser.
Are Gun Restrictions Legal in the Workplace?
When trying to determine the best course of action, you’ll need to examine your area’s laws. Some states allow gun controls in the workplace. Others consider such policies an infringement on gun owner’s rights.
You’ll have to ensure your concealed carry policy isn’t discriminatory. Here are some issues that could get interpreted as discriminatory in some areas:
- Asking an employee if they’re carrying a gun in their vehicle
- Searching an employee’s vehicle for a weapon
- Hiring or terminating employment based on a weapon concealed permit
- Hiring or terminating employment based on owning guns
When your business has locations in many states, it may be more difficult to make a broad policy. It may be best to make different policies for each location.
If you’re unsure about any of these issues, then it may be best to speak with a lawyer.
What Should a Concealed Carry Weapons Policy Look Like?
Most businesses already have a workplace policy in place about violence. Some businesses choose to include their firearms policy with their violence policies. Others separate the two issues.
Here are some questions to consider when devising your concealed weapons policy sample:
- What’s the definition of concealed weapons?
- Define prohibited behaviors and items
- What disciplinary actions will follow an offense?
If your weapons work policy allows firearms, then safety tips should be part of your policy. Provide instructions for safe gun storage and other information to employees.
Always run your policy by your legal team or lawyer before implementing it.
Weapons at Work: What’s Your Policy?
It’s becoming vital for modern-day workplaces to make policies about concealed carry weapons. Should employees carry them? What about customers?
Facing these questions is a daunting but necessary task. Don’t hesitate to consult with your legal team while creating these new rules.
Looking for more tips and information about gun safety? Check out our firearms and gun safety blog section for our latest posts on the topic.