Bar Assn., NRA Battle Over Guns In Cars
Groups Square Off Over Guns In Company Parking Lots
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(CBS/AP)
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Guns In America
State-by-state gun laws and death rates, maps of recent school and workplace shootings and facts on who's at risk.
The nation's largest lawyers group is taking on the biggest gun rights organization over employers' rights to bar workers from leaving guns in their cars while on the job.
The American Bar Association says the issue is workplace violence and how to reduce it.
The ABA, meeting in Miami, is expected to go on record early next week supporting the right of employers “to exclude from the workplace and other private property, persons in possession of firearms or other weapons.”
Roughly 1,000 people are killed at work each year and guns are used in 80 percent of those incidents, the ABA says, citing federal estimates.
The National Rifle Association says the question is whether employees can protect themselves on their drive home.
The NRA has embarked on a state-by-state campaign to get legislatures to enact laws that require employers to allow their workers to bring guns on company parking lots.
“When you get off work at 12 o'clock or 1 o'clock and you're driving home, you have the right to protect yourself if you're accosted on the highway,” said Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president.
The issue has its roots in two unrelated episodes, the firing of employees in Oklahoma and a shooting rampage in Mississippi.
In 2002, forest products giant Weyerhauser Corp. fired eight employees after guns were found in their cars on company lots. Federal courts have upheld the firings.
In response, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a law that would prevent business owners from prohibiting guns inside locked vehicles on company property.
Houston-based ConocoPhillips Inc., which employs more than 3,000 people in Oklahoma, filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to block the law. The issue is pending in the courts.
The NRA, meanwhile, began a boycott of the energy company's Conoco and Phillips 66 products and stepped up efforts to get other states to adopt laws similar to Oklahoma's.
After the Weyerhauser firings, but before the Oklahoma law was enacted, a workplace shooting case occurred that gun-control advocates and businesses point to as a clear example of why guns should be kept far from the factory or office.
In July 2003, Lockheed Martin employee Doug Williams abruptly left a training session at the company's Meridian, Miss., plant and retrieved a shotgun and semiautomatic rifle from his truck in the employee parking lot.
He opened fire on employees, killing six and wounding eight.
Afterward, authorities retrieved three more guns from his truck.
“Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common event,” said Brian Siebel, senior attorney at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. “A gun is available in the parking lot for an employee who may be unstable and who reaches a snapping point. This should be a no-brainer.”
But LaPierre said that people in 38 states can legally carry guns in their cars. Federal law permits people to transport guns between states for hunting and other purposes, he said.
If company restrictions were applied broadly, gun owners' rights would be unlawfully limited, LaPierre said.
“In effect, you're nullifying the right to carry,” he said. “People could drive on their highways with the guns, but they couldn't stop anywhere.”
Alaska, Kentucky, Minnesota and Mississippi all have adopted laws that limit employers from barring guns to varying extents.
But the NRA lost legislative battles in several states last year, including Florida and Georgia among states traditionally friendly to gun rights. In those states, business groups mounted unexpectedly strong opposition to the proposals.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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See all 61 Comments"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms. . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
- Thomas Jefferson`s "Commonplace Book," 1774-1776, quoting from "On Crimes and Punishment", by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764
Today, Washington DC is having a "CRIME EMERGENCY" from violent criminals using HANDGUNS.
It seems that criminals prefer unarmed victims!
Based on your comments, you are exactly the kind of merson these companies are trying to protect their employees from.
If I have ANYTHING IN MY VEHICLE, IT IS IN MY PROPERTY, you moron. If you allow me to park MY VEHICLE on your property, IT IS STILL INSIDE OF MY PROPERTY. If you have JUST CAUSE to suspect I have ANYTHING illegal in MY VEHICLE you can request a search BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. And if the law shows up WITH A SEARCH WARRANT, THEY can search my vehicle. If you want to search MY VEHICLE, I will tell you to KISSMYASS!!!!
It seems funny to me that this bozo at the ABA states: "Roughly 1,000 people are killed at work each year and guns are used in 80 percent of those incidents, citing federal estimates."
If that were true, we would be hearing about these 3 office related killings a day.
In addition, it seems to be backed up by Brian Siebel at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. He was quoted as saying %u201CUnfortunately, this is an all-too-common event.%u201D
Really? Where did these figures come from? How come I don't hear about these 3 office shootings a day that result in deaths. Clearly the press would be reporting these. They're always looking to scare us.
As far as I'm concerned this sounds like more anti-gun propaganda that will be used to strip us of our right to bear arms.
CBS and Associated Press are again proving their eagerness to report half truths to the population of the United States of America.
"Always Beware."
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
http://www.liberalswithguns.com/index.html
Amendment II Democrats
http://www.a2dems.net/
Pro Gun Progressive
http://www.progunprogressive.com/
The Gun Toting Liberal
http://www.guntotingliberal.com/
More Gun Toting Liberals
http://www.geocities.com/guntotingliberals/
Second Amendment Sisters
http://www.2asisters.org
Pink Pistols
http://www.pinkpistols.org
Black Man With A Gun
http://www.blackmanwithagun.com
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
http://www.jpfo.org
On the other hand, shouldn't I be allowed to defend myself against someone who's decided today is the day they're going to go ballistic?
My idea of self-defense is not cowering under the desk praying the cops get to me before the shooter does. The cops don't have a duty to protect me as an individual. But I do.
Keep 'em straight. Gotta go for now.
Keep your sights right and your groups tight.
When they come in they can check their guns in and then check them back out when they leave.
While working the guns are locked up somewhere.
Workers can protect themselves on the way home and guns can be locked up out of harm's way during the work day.
Of course, I guess if a gunman was really wanting to cap somebody, they could wait until they check their gun back out and get 'em in the parking lot.
Criminals will get themseves guns no matter what the situation, even if strict gun laws were brought in, [wouldn't that throw the NRA into panic], however it must certainly be made so much easier for them, with so many dickheads leaving their guns laying around in their vehicles.
Seems this is a 'first step' to putting a stop to all concealed-carry permits.
Besides, although the vehicle is on company property, the vehicle does not belong to the company, and the company has absolutely no responsibility for it - it belongs to the employee. The company would not be liable if the parking brake fell off a car, and it hit another in the parking lot.
It's just another ploy for employers to stick noses into private matters of employees (whom the company would be nonexistent without) under the guise of 'saftey',
Prevent workers from defending themselves etc.
What a load of garbage.
If that were in any way true, it could only be a sad reflection of the depths that American society has sunk to.
Lock'n'Load, Baby!...Fire in the hole!, Yea, baby...Don't you just love the smell of stupidity in the morning?
Could be an opportunity for making a ton of money. Somewhere on the same block as these major employers just buy a building, put in a gravel lot and stick a bunch of lockers inside. Under-pay one of these yahoos to stand at a counter and charge these people 5 bucks a week to lock up thier guns.
Stop whining long enough to think.
when you get back and look at some of these things most of which could have been fixed at home without congress.
YEAH, everyone should carry a gun in their car!! DURN RIGHT!! In fact, everyone should carry a machine gun in their car!! CAN YOU SAY ROAD RAGE?? No need for law enforcement, let's SHOOT IT OUT IN THE STREETS!! I have the right to protect myself from rude drive-thru employees at McDonalds. BRING IT ON you smart-mouthed little freedon-fry toten b*tch!!
http://www.a-human-right.com
-- Thomas Jefferson quoting from "On Crimes and Punishment", by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764
In other words, if I was a suicidal homicidal maniac and I wanted to kill a bunch of people, any law would be the last thing on my mind!
Posted by GunOwnerDan
DURN RIGHT!! And I want my gun with me, in the car or wherever I am just in case I decide to do just that. HECK, YOU NEVER KNOW, the boss might say something that really TICS ME OFF and if I don't have my gun with me I won't be able to do anything about it. And, what if I see a white gurl ridin' around with a darkie.. BY GOSH, I WANT MY GUN RIGHT THERE BESIDE ME.
The Dalai Lama
GET EDUCATED:
blackmanwithagun.com
The Dalai Lama
Posted by GunOwnerDan
EXACTAMUNDO!! That's why I insist on having my gun within reach at all times!! Seems like everytime I step out of the house SOMEONE TRIES TO KILL ME!! And, I'm gettin' real tired of it!! In fact I'm thinking about having a 50 CALIBER mounted on my pickup!! Next time I see one of them suckers getting ready to take a pot-shot at me, I'LL BLOW EM' TO SMITHERINES!!!
Criminals prefer unarmed victims.
Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!
Posted by GunOwnerDan
I'm sure glad I found someone I can agree with!! BY GOLLY, we need to defend ourselves!! And the ONLY WAY TO DEFEND YOURSELF is with a gun!! I sick of those LILLY-LIVERED SISSYS who like to run around talking about EDUCATION and CIVILIZED SOCIETY and 19th CENTURY MENTALITY and things like that!! Those folks are THREATENING MY WAY OF LIFE!! If they were here right now I'D SHOOT THE HELL OUT OF 'EM!! Got my gun right here on the desk!
are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who
regard the preservation of freedom as the basic
purpose of their daily life and who are willing to
consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."
- President John F. Kennedy
"Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom
under any government, no matter how popular and respected,
is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms ...
The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee
against arbitrary government, one more safeguard, against
the tyranny which now appears remote in America but which
historically has proven to be always possible."
- Hubert H. Humphrey, Senator, Vice President, 22 October 1959
"The Second Amendment is a doomsday provision, one
designed for those exceptionally rare circumstances
where all other rights have failed -- where the
government refuses to stand for reelection and
silences those who protest; where courts have lost the
courage to oppose, or can find no one to enforce their
decrees. However improbable these contingencies may
seem today, facing them unprepared is a mistake a free
people get to make only once."
- Justice Alex Kozinski, US 9th Circuit Court, 2003
They own the parking lot, I agree they have a right to say "what" and or who can be on it.
I work for a large company that bars guns anywhere on their property. I simply park on a public lot nearby or in the street. They can take their anti-gun rule and shove it up their browntown highway.
Hey Congress, We know you cannot protect innocent high school pages in the Halls of Congress nor put Pedophiles in Jail like Mark Foley, how about thieves of billions of dollars, and Liars that cause the deaths and Maiming of Thousands of American Soldiers and sends our country to a war on a lie? The Middle East is not in American Interest, we have invested 50 years of blood, and money is enough is enough! Did the Israeli or Saudi Arabian Neocons slip you some money how about thirty pieces of silver for your vote or compliancy in this war?
Write your congressman and let them know how you feel! firststatehttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
If that were true, we would be hearing about these 3 office related killings a day.
In addition, it seems to be backed up by Brian Siebel at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. He was quoted as saying %u201CUnfortunately, this is an all-too-common event.%u201D
Really? Where did these figures come from? How come we don't hear about these 3 office shootings a day that result in deaths. Clearly the press would be reporting these. They're always looking to scare us.
As far as I'm concerned this sounds like more anti-gun propaganda that will be used to strip us of our right to bear arms.
CBS and Associated Press are again proving their eagerness to report half truths to the population of the United States of America.
"Always Be Aware."
The fore-fathers had it right, back then and even now. Long live the greatest nation ever to exist, the United States of America. I only hope (and pray) these fringe left extremists lose what little effectiveness they think they have.
This is why it is very important for convenience store clerks and small shop owners to be armed and prepared to protect themselves and their properties!
Violent criminals prefer easy unarmed victims.
Self Defense:
A-HUMAN-RIGHT.com
This is why it is very important for convenience store clerks and small shop owners to be armed and prepared to protect themselves and their co-workers!
Violent criminals prefer easy unarmed victims.
Self Defense:
A-HUMAN-RIGHT.com
I always ask law enforcement officials to disarm themselves before entering on to my property - funny thing is they never seem to listen...
Nothint Illegal about a gUn in plain sight though in most states thats fine. I always kept mine on the dash or in the seat next to me.
I hate the NRA too Heston needs to retire to mount olive and seek absolution....
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