I lost my job because of firearms! (from TheHighRoad.org)

[KoRn_1536]

Great story I wanted to pass on:




hankdatank1362
Senior Member
 
 

Join Date: 08-05-06
Location: MBSC
Posts: 1,599  Lost my job as a result of firearms!

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And I'm Okay with it.



A little background info: I am (was) a bartender at a local restaurant. Been there about two years. Restaurant has no-weapons-on-company-property policy, which we had to agree to (among other things) in order to obtain employment. Policy aside, several people keep weapons in their car, myself included. Management knows about this and is okay with it... actually, management made jokes about me running to get a gun should the need arise. They called it the "Hank! Car!" drill. The general manager keeps a Makarov in the office on nights he closes.

Friday night, a regular couple comes into the bar. I've met them before; a nice couple, but their night usually ends in swearing after the gentleman has had two of three drinks.

This night was a little different. Towards the end of the night, he began his usual tirade of swearing against his girlfriend, a very sweet, kind woman who holds a master's degree in teaching and has two little boys.

He then proceeded to push her to the ground and grab her by the back of her neck and toss her around. Myself and the floor manager escorted the guy out, without hurting or harming him in any way. He made several threats along the line of "coming back to get you." We then counseled the woman for about an hour, and walked her to her car.

Saturday night, I was thinking about that guy's threats. He's a real piece of work, with nothing to lose; unemployed, lives with his mom, alcoholic, etc. I decided to forgo company policy and bring my SIG P226 in with me to work.

I placed it high in a cabinet behind the bar, out of sight or reach for anyone but me, unless they had a stepladder. It stayed there all night until after we closed, and it was just me and the floor manager in the restaurant. (whom I considered somewhat of a friend; he is the one who coined the "Hank! Car!" drill, and has been over to our house several times.) he saw me remove the firearm from the cabinet and stuff it in my pants as I was heading to my car to leave for the night.

He noticed I had the firearm and asked "Did you bring your gun in with you?!?!?" I told him I did, and I told him why. Hell, he was there the other night when all this went down. I was suprised he didn't understand. He told me to go put it in my car, so I did. He asked me why I would bring it in.

I reminded him about the guy's threats the previous night.

He said "You're bigger than he is... just kick his ***!"

I asked "Well what if he comes in shooting? He doesn't have anything to lose."

He replied "Well then I guess we all die then, don't we?" sarcastically.

I told him that I was not comfortable with that option, and left for the evening.




Fast forward to today; I get to work, and he (the floor manager) is waiting for me in the outside office. He motions me to come inside. When I do, I notice the company policy packet that I signed when I first started, with the firearm policy highlighted. Basically, that was it. We politely shook hands, and parted our ways.



At the end of the day... typical anti-gun C.Y.A. policies cost me my job.

I'm still alive. Nobody had to get shot. Realized that some people who you think are friends are ignorantly blinded by idiotic policies (the same manager who disciplined me for giving his lifelong friend, HIS LIFELONG FRIEND, not mine, a free draft beer... when we drink draft all night for free).

Oh well. Life goes on. Putting in applications tomorrow at various local LE agencies.

Funny part? my wife actually prayed to God (litterally, on her knees prayed) this morning while I was in the shower for something to change in our lives, because she was tired of me having to work so late in such an environment.

I think God answered.

What do you guys think?

[KoRn_1536]

Somebody replied that you can find a new job, but you only get one life.

I can't say anything better.  The concequences for being caught carrying in a no carry place is less severe then the concequences of being shot while in a no carry place.

[PegLeg45]

he's better off.
obviously a company that values stupid rules (and profit) above employee rights and safety.

[GodOfWar_1]

It was ok for the general manager to have a Makarov (he has good taste I see), yet this guy was fired?
I agree, he's better off.  They'll learn real quick when that drunk guy comes back, armed this time.

[KoRn_1536]

Yeah, I don't understand how the general manager could have one? 

This is from the associated press:


July 2, The Associated Press reported that Walt Disney World believes it is exempt from a new state law that allows gun owners with a valid concealed weapons permit to keep firearms in their cars in most parking lots.

Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said the zero-tolerance policy applies only to employees. Guests with valid permits can keep guns in their cars.

Information from: Orlando Sentinel

 

A security guard is planning to fight for his right to carry.  Walt Disney is exempt from the law!  Wow.  Next time I'm pulled over for speeding, I'll just say "I once visited Disney World officer, so I'm exempt from the law" and he'll let me go on my way. 

[tumbleweed]

i agree,i refuse to disarm myself!i carry a .32 in a pocket ALL the time and a .45 99% of the time.as they say:"better too be judged by 12 than carried by 6"

[KoRn_1536]

I normally carry despite the rules since the only way anyone should know you're carrying is if you have to use your gun...in which case I'll take the misdemenor over death anyday.  However, my job I have on the side (Cabela's Distribution Center of all places) has a strict anti-gun policy. No guns are even allowed in your car in the parking lot, even during hunting season. This is all the more strange beause 1.) Cabela's is the leading seller of guns and 2.) Customers can come inside for a pickup and walk out with a gun!! That makes ME feel real safe being unarmed and all. It's a case of a company that is really anti-gun that sells guns only beause there is profit in it.

They treat us like criminals and make us walk through a medal detector everyday, so my gun has to stay in my car.  One day I'm going to walk in with it.  When the detetor goes off first I'll flash my gun to show what's setting it off, then I'll flash my badge to the security guard and say "you have a problem with anything rent-a-cop...maybe one day you'll be a real one like me" and walk through.