Shoot-Out at OK Corral, aka State Legislature
One thing to keep an eye on during the coming year is what your state legislature is doing with gun legislation introduced as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s relatively recent Heller decision. It’s likely that there will be a passel of proposals designed to give gun owners more discretion as to where they can carry those guns.
The Ohio Supreme Court recently declared that the state law allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons trumped a city ordinance that sought to restrict bringing the weapons into a public park. The court didn’t address what this means for employer policies that seek to ban weapons from the workplace, but that’s exactly what some of the proposed legislation will address.
I’m guessing that the battle over this issue in some states will be ferocious. It has the potential to be impactful on your workplace weapons policy. It could require you to change them. It could require you to eliminate them. Keep your safeties on for the time-being, but you might want to practice your quick draw skills while we’re waiting to see what happens.
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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