Guns At Work: Should You Bring Yours?

By Luke McCoy via USA Carry

To bring or not to bring. It’s a basic question we all ask ourselves when we get up for work in the morning. On one hand, there’s the comfort and security of knowing you’re able to protect yourself and potentially your co-workers in the event of a security risk at work. On the other hand, there’s sometimes a stigma attached with asking HR if there’s anything in company policy specifically forbidding an employee carrying a concealed carry firearm into the workplace. In this article, we’ll look at the ups and downs of carrying to work — and you can determine if it’s right for you.

Instant Personal Defense

Having the ability to carry your firearm at work is a luxury. There are some jobs where it’s just simply not feasible to safely carry a firearm while doing your profession. In certain manual trades where you are lying on your side, a holster can dig in heavily. Jobs where you have to carry heavy equipment through uncertain terrain can be another.

CON: And then there’s employers who simply don’t trust their employees enough to be armed. The concept of ‘instant personal protection’ gets somewhat convoluted quickly.

PRO: All nonsense aside, no one wants to be stuck in an honestly dangerous situation either at work or in the parking lot where he or she wishes that a gun was there. Robbers don’t always wait for the cover of darkness anymore before hunting down their prey. Being able to protect yourself instantly through the use of a concealed carry handgun is a great relief.

Related: Employer Requires Employees to Get CCW Permits, Gives Them a Taurus Judge

Customer Interactions

“The customer is always right” is a phrase that gets tossed around a lot. Anyone working retail or in customer service will be quick to point out that’s usually not the case. And sometimes, customers can threaten to use force or, in some cases, actually attempt to inflict physical injury and harm on others. Knowing that you have the ability to protect yourself in that situation is a peace of mind when dealing with strangers.

CON: If you’re carrying concealed, the customer won’t likely know you’re armed but your employer might. Make sure your employer is okay with that.

PRO: One of the most physically assaulted occupations out there is Sales. You’re going out to talk to strangers and pitch your product and services. They may not always be of sound mind or morals. Should you need to, you can protect yourself until you can safely flee.

Work Site Safety

For field service representatives and skilled tradesmen, work can sometimes call you out to some rather unsavory or potentially dangerous stretches. In these desolate or murky areas, personal protection has to be a priority. It’s not just your company’s truck, it’s also your own personal equipment and your livelihood at risk.

CON: If you’re going to carry while traveling between destinations, it’s always good to have a partner who’s carrying as well. One of you may be preoccupied with a task-at-hand and it’s always good to have a second pair of eyes to avoid getting ambushed.

PRO: As has been in the case in news reports, in the unlikely event you’re called upon to protect yourself and your coworker from harm, you’ll be absolutely glad you had the ability to do so.