Guns at Work

[Modem Butterfly]

I am a gun owner. I grew up around guns. I am comfortable with guns. But this guy knew the rule and deliberately violated it. I find it difficult to feel sorry for him.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/07/eveningnews/main672240.shtml

When gun and corporate cultures clashed in southeast Oklahoma, Jimmy Wyatt got caught in the crossfire.

"I've had it for over 20 years ... They're very much a part of life," says Wyatt of his guns. "We all carry them."

But in 2002, as CBS News Correspondent Bill Whitaker reports, a surprise sweep of the parking lot found Wyatt and 11 other employees of paper giant Weyerhauser had guns locked in their vehicles, a violation of a new corporate policy. They all said they didn't know the policy had changed. They were fired almost on the spot.

"They done me wrong," says Wyatt of his employer. "Ruined my life, basically."

"I have a wife and five kids. I'm nearly on food stamps. My one girl just had to drop out of college. I'm nearly on food stamps."

But the largest local employer says these machines are designed for worker safety and guns are banned, even from the parking lot, for the same reason.

"If someone chose to, they could get that firearm out and do some serious damage," says Wanda Graham of Weyerhauser.

Weyerhauser says it's not just blowing smoke. Seventy-seven percent of workplace homicides are committed with guns. "Going Postal" - shorthand for workplace violence - stems from a 1986 Oklahoma post office shooting in which 14 people were killed.

[Township75]

1. I don't have a problem with the policy, but this part does bother me..

"a surprise sweep of the parking lot found Wyatt and 11 other employees of paper giant Weyerhauser had guns locked in their vehicles, a violation of a new corporate policy. They all said they didn't know the policy had changed. They were fired almost on the spot. "

I am curious if the company informed their employees of the new policy or just changed it. If they didn't,than this is complete BS.

[lectrobyte]

2. if it was locked in a car, how did the company find it?

I suspect there are a lot of things in cars that are none of the company's business...

[Modem Butterfly]

5. Most likely they were on the gun rack

The story doesn't go into detail on this point, but if this guy felt the company had violated his property rights, I'm sure he'd be squealing all the way home.

The parking lot is company property. In my company's case, we had a situation where some employees were drinking in the parking lot on their lunch break. This is a violation of our drug and alcohol policy, and given the nature of their jobs, quite a safety violation as well. The employees were termed or severely disciplined.

[BiggJawn]

3. "Didn't know the policy had changed..."

Guess Weyerhauser should have made sure all employees were clear on the new rule. Even the illiterate Bush-voters who couldn't read the notice...

Too bad your "Hero" pretzeldent is gutting all social services, Jummy...Looks like you could use some aid.

[Az]

4. We have a local issue going on today

Some guy fired from a local auto plant called in and said he was coming back with his guns. Had to shut the plant down and call the cops in. Big tizzy in the news. They do so love crisis.

[Modem Butterfly]

6. Been there, done that.

Not fun. Not at all.

[old freak]

7. This one's going to court

There is a proposal in the Oklahoma house that would make this kind of action by the company illegal.

[Modem Butterfly]

8. I have a big problem with that

Companies should be able to control what their employees bring onto their property, whether it's drugs, firearms, fireworks, or vintage Andrew Dice Clay memorabilia.