Posted 3/21/2007 10:06:00 PM by Douglas

Ever since Texas began issuing permits to carry concealed handguns, I've always wondered about the signs business have put up saying you can't carry. Can all Texas law be negated by a properly posted sign? But I get it, it's private property, and if that office park doesn't want me to have a gun in my car, that's their property and their business. Until now.

A Senate panel on Tuesday approved a bill, fiercely opposed by businesses, that gives workers the right to lock concealed handguns in their cars, even if the parking lot is owned by their employer.

While businesses testified the bill undermines their private property rights, supporters said those rights must be balanced against the safety rights of licensed concealed handgun owners.

"It just says, whether it's a public or private employer, you cannot discipline, discharge or discriminate against an employee who has a handgun in the parking lot," said Rep. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, author of the bill.

The bill calls for reinstatement of an employee with back pay if an employer fires them for locking a concealed handgun in their car.

Likewise, workers are required to notify their employer that they carry guns in their cars.

Also, ten seconds after your annual performance evaluation isn't the time to inform your employer of that fact. It just kinda looks bad.

This kind of law is as pointless as it is divisive. No one's going to care (or know) if you've got a gun under your seat 'till you use it. If you use like a hero, you'll get your picture in the paper; act like an idiot, and you go to jail anyway. You don't need a permit to do either of these things.