Firearm at work

[ians]

Thanks for all the feedback. Firstly, we are an accounting firm in PE - we are only 14 staff members, all of which are females. I thought to bring it to work also as protection for us... so putting it in a safe at work, won't really be ideal for me. We don't have a firearm policy. I would definatley tell my boss, but I don't want her to involve the rest of the staff... my feeling would be the less people know about it, the better it would be. The firearm law states that I can carry it in a backpack - so I was thinking of putting it in my laptop backpack in my cupboard, behind my desk in my office. I'm sure this way it should be safe and should I need to go out, I'll have to take it with me / or alternatively then put it in a safe.

My advice would be, if you can't keep it on you at all times, lock it in a safe. If you get distracted, forget it, or someone else finds it, you will be charged with negligance and the firearm will be taken away form you. The gun is pretty useless to you if the office experiences an armed robbery, The best place at that stage would be a safe location which nobody knows about, keeping it in a laptop bags would be the worse possible place to keep it. Computers are such high risk items for theft.

[IMHO]

How I see it.

If you carry concealed, nobody, but nobody should know. Ever. If someone knows, you become a target. Especially if you are the only person packing. It is safer to have a few people carry concealed, so they can not be targeted/monitored at all times. That increase the danger to possible attackers, as they do not know what to expect and exactly who carries. It is therefore not a good idea to be the only one carrying a gun. Remember, criminals always prepare and find out everything about their target. Attacks is based on surprise and information, which they gather even through intimidation.

Carrying a gun at work is a pain in the butt. It is also likely that you are going to take it out (un-holster) in the toilet and forget it there. It happens, I promise you. Especially when you are preoccupied or upset, which happens regularly when at work, right? (Tip. If you have to un-holster in a toilet, always put it on the floor in front of you, or keep it in your lap. Never place it on the cistern behind you. You will not see it when you get up in a hurry and forget it there!)

As pointed out, putting it anywhere else than in a safe safe, is just looking for trouble. It is going to be thiefed...

If in a safe, you are the only person that can legally have access to the safe. Unless there is a security department, with legal permission, that signs it in and out all the time.

Being on the road unarmed is not wise. You will have to consider all elements and make a plan that suits you. Never ever leave a firearm in a vehicle.

[AndyD]

I don't allow my employees to carry firearms at work either in the office or in the company vehicles, it's part of their employment contract. They can bring one to work but then it stays in their car and they must ensure its security. Many of my customers have a no fire arms policy and I don't want them in the office and making provisions for them in company vehicles is a headache I don't need.

[Christel]

Thanks everyone... I think the safe option would then be the best. Maybe even fit one in my vechile as well at a later stage. It's no use having a firearm and you can't even have it with you when you need it. But like you all say... we live in an evil world and most of the times good intentions turns against you in the end.
Thanks again!

[Nickolai Naydenov]

If you want expert advice, post a question on www.gunsite.co.za it's a forum, there are many firearm dealers, firearm owners and even members who work for the firearm licensing department in Pretoria, they are always very helpful.

[Jackster]

You are licensed to carry this firearm, so you may take it with you to the office. Your manager does not need permission from other staff members for you to carry a firearm, but it is good to inform them. I personally would like to know which staff members are armed on my premises (although I have a strict firearm policy).

Please do not leave your firearm in the cupboard. If you do not have a safe at work in which to safely store it, carry the gun on you. If you leave it anywhere else than in a safe, you are inviting trouble. And if something happens, you will be found guilty as the firearm was not under your direct control.

[Dave A]

I personally would like to know which staff members are armed on my premises

That was pretty much my thought too as this thread developed.

[Just Gone]

And myne .. as per my post

[Dave A]

Yes. Perhaps I should have said so then, but at the time I was curious what other responses might be.

Andy's post was also good food for thought when it comes to personnel going onto client sites.

[ians]

The less people know the better, thats my policy with my firearm, if you dont ask i dont tell. Not even my wife knows if or when i am carrying it.