Firearms in the office - Help or hindrance

In light of the recent shooting at the University of Alabama Huntsville campus, the gun bill at the Alabama Senate seems to be getting attention.

If you’ve been hiding under a rock, or stranded in London for the past week, a professor at UAH opened fire on campus; three individuals lost their lives.

This bill, according to the local CBS affiliate, “would eliminate an employers right to ban firearms on company grounds.”  Many HR Professionals, self included, have written and preached the anti-gun policies in our companies.  However, many believe this is a violation of their second amendment rights; those of us in HR fail to see how having guns on the premises can help any situation.

BSHRM’s own Kimberly Pruitt spoke with the CBS affiliate:

Kimberly Pruitt with the Birmingham Society of Human Resources Management says her organization is opposed to legislation.

Pruitt believes that employers should retain the right to decide policy within the workplace and adds that anti-gun policies are designed to to decrease the opportunity for violence in the workplace.

I personally tend to agree with Pruitt; these policies are put in place to protect the employees.  That said, one commenter on the article says:

“What good does a firearm do me if I'm walking to my car in a bad part of town & I'm accosted? No good at all. Firearms in the correct hands could actually save an employee's life, not to mention the employer's life.”

What are your thoughts on this bill?

Editors note: April Dowling, SPHR is an HR Generalist in  Birmingham, AL.  She writes her own blog over at www.pseudohr.com where she likes to talk about leadership, HR, recruiting and anything else that comes to mind.  In her spare time, whatever that is,  April likes to read, write, and did we mention read? 

Comments

[MattyMat]

People kill people, guns don't kill people! They should be allowed to stock up-- as long as they're properly trained and licensed--- and the keep the guns in a safe place away from children--- with triggerlocks, etc.

Wait a minute--- that wouldn't have helped the Alabama victims at ALL!!! I'm confused---

[April Dowling]

@MattyMat - You're right, its the actions of people that kill other people. Do you think its a good idea for displaced workers, in emotional turmoil having just lost their jobs for example, to have a firearm on the premises of the workplace?

[Ben Eubanks]

I'm pro right to carry, but I'm also pro-private property rights. I'm definitely conflicted on this one.