Have gun, can't travel: Debate emerges on rule for Oregon employees

[TexasTowelie]

Policy prohibits state workers from carrying weapons at work, which some argue is unconstitutional

Jan. 6 marked the last day most state employees could bring personal guns and weapons to work.

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services that day unveiled its new policy on “weapons in the workplace.” Gun rights advocates consider the policy unconstitutional and a danger to state worker safety. Supporters of the ban view it as a reasonable safety measure. The state says it brings clarity to murky waters.

Policy No. 50-010-05 “prohibits weapons in the workplace unless an employee is permitted to carry, handle, operate or transport a weapon as part of the employee’s assigned duties in the course and scope of the employee’s employment. A permit to carry a concealed handgun does not give an employee the authority to use or carry a handgun into the workplace.”

Firing back

Kevin Starrett is the director of the gun-rights nonprofit the Oregon Firearms Federation and alerted state lawmakers about the policy. He said it infringes on the constitutional rights of state workers to carry guns like other Oregonians and in effect relegates state workers to second-class citizens.

Read more: http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20170210/have-gun-cant-travel-debate-emerges-on-rule-for-oregon-employees