Guns at Work and Other Places

The Los Angeles Times takes an updated look at the state of gun laws across the country. Primarily focusing on one of the new laws passed this year in Tennessee, it also provides a look at America’s gun landscape. As gun rights and gun control advocates fight it out, gun rights are winning.

However, some gun rights proponents are having trouble accepting what’s happened in Tennessee. The law in question allows handgun permit holders to bring their guns into public parks unless a local government passes an ordinance to the contrary. Children play in parks. Sports events are held in parks. The parents of children playing sports sometimes get mad enough to fight each other. Some Second Amendment supporters think this law goes too far.

Another new Tennessee law allows permit holders to carry their guns into restaurants and bars as long as they don’t drink alcohol. Some Tennesseans are skeptical that all permit holders will honor the no drinking part of the law. They say it’s even more likely that there could be a fight in a bar than in a public park.

The Times covers laws proposed and passed in other states. The proposals don’t always pass, but gun rights advocates keep bringing them back, sometimes successfully.

Employers aren’t immune from the gun commotion. Parks, bars and restaurants do have employees after all. Moreover, several states have enacted laws that allow any employee who has a permit to bring a loaded gun to work, as long as it’s left in a locked vehicle.

There’s no law yet barring employers from barring employees from bringing guns into the workplace. If the current trend continues, however, it’s only a matter of time. All employers should monitor the gun legislation introduced in their respective state legislatures each year. It just could require the change of a long-standing policy.

1. 

   Paul Weatherhead says:

   July 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm

   Your blog reminds me of this morning’s TV story of a car dealership that gives away free AK-47s with the purchase of every pick-up truck.

   Just because its legal doesn’t make it right!

   I shudder to think of a proliferation of such weapons among the population.