Hello, Registered here just to reply to this thread
Back before shall issue in MI became law, I was always carrying a pocket knife of some sort. Mostly because I worked construction with brothers and always was told to carry some kinda knife. (obvious statement to rule 9 of Gibbs rules, Always carry a knife).
Anywho - I had done several jobs where any carry was "bad" and at every interview/etc I always told them to fully explain the rules for me. since some had "weapon" rules, while others listed specific items (knife/gun/etc)
Soo low and behold I was working at a Blockbuster video store - which was in a rather bad area for crime despite being less then 5 miles from my home at the time. I always chose to keep my knife in my pocket. Except one day I wasn't actually working at the store, and was showing the then assistant manager my new knife. Few days go by, another assistant manager asks me to pay for his food, I said no. day later we have another confrontation where he blocks my path and makes a verbal statement of intimidation, finally a third issue where he takes my Company check and looks at it (literately took it from my hand, something he had no right to do) He had been bragging about his recent pay raise, and was not privy to fact I was hired at a higher pay rate then him because of my expertise, I also worked more hours then anyone in store including the then manager. Well fast forward a week or two later and I'm in backroom with someone from HR and her security goon (I say goon cause he looked like one, all muscle, little brain) and asked about having a knife, which at the time I said yes, I normally carry a knife. But wasn't that day, nor did I after the manager told me not to. Only day I did was a day I wasn't even working. Soo I get told im fired, I said Ok no problem. Basically the Assistant manager found a reason to get rid of me. Oddly enough both the then Main manager, and the one assistant manager who was my friend agreed he had a Vendetta against me for making more money then he did. Soo my knife carrying provided his way to get me fired. and if I had to do it over, I would have had written paperwork as to saying my Knife was ok or if I had it my Pistol was ok.. as I refuse to be disarmed now.
Honestly my issue at the time was, their weapon rules didn't really explain what a weapon was. To me anything can be constitute a weapon if used with intent to harm. I didn't agree to that on my application, and even had another section removed from my hiring agreement (an issue about anything I would invent, they could take ownership of even if I did it at home). But in the end I still feel better, as I stopped renting at blockbuster, and few years go by and Ive heard that the place was robbed twice, someone had shot out 2 of the front windows, and generally the place was closed down and all workers sent to other locations. I felt better about my choice to continue to carry because of those events, and below event.
I had an uncle who worked as head of security/in security at a Car manufacturing plant, was a retired Police officer, and by company policy was disarmed - Well that made headlines awhile back when he was murdered by a guy who had gotten recently fired, and otherwise in trouble for his interactions with a female employee who was also working that day. Current law would allow him to carry anywhere in state as retired LEO, but the company policy still would prohibit it (probably still does for all I know).
So I have been a CPL holder since MI went shall issue, and I refuse to work for any company that asks me to Disarm to work for them. Kinda limits my choices for jobs, but I feel safer then being in a position where I cannot defend myself. As far too many placed that are "weapons free zones" seem to end up the places most likely to have events happen that make "news"
