First hand knowledge about what can happen sorry it is so long
I worked for Boeing in Seattle, Washington and they have a no gun on company property rule and you consent to allowing them to search your vehicle and person while on their property. I had to move to California for work and my Washington State CCW would be of no use there. After being in California for 3 weeks I learned that open carry was allowed as long as the gun was not loaded. Due to owning a Glock 19 with 15 round magazines I left my gun in Washington State. I was able to get 4 Glock 10 round magazines for a trade and $50.
Well I made the mistake of only removing 3 of the 4 empty 10 round Glock magazines from my backpack. When I went into work they search my bag and found the empty magazine.I was let in to work but 15 minutes later the security guard came and asked me to lift my shirt and turn around so she could check that I did not have a gun concealed in my waistband under my shirt. I had to pull up my pants legs to show that I was not concealing a gun near my ankles in my work boots. After that I walk back to the main desk where she told me to take it back to my hotel and leave it there. I go into work the next day to be pulled into a meeting room with Boeing security and the Air Force military security Who had lots of questions to ask me. I answered their question then was told to wait for them to type up a report of the meeting for me to sign. After I signed the report I was taken back to the meeting room where HR was present and the HR told me I was being suspend with pay till they were done with their investigation on whether I had carried a gun while at work. I was told that I had to go and meet with a psychologist in 2 days for him to make sure I was not a danger to myself or coworkers.
They then asked for my work badge and parking pass I told them the parking permit was left in the car where it belongs. They then took the company laptop and my work badge from me and escorted me out the doors into the parking lot where they searched the rental car for a gun but found none I then was allowed to reach into the car to hand them the parking pass. I was then followed by them till I was off of the military base.
Well after meeting with the psychologist he told me it was his opinion that I was fine to return to work.
The next day I was told I needed to return to Seattle and I would be given my work location after I arrived back in Seattle. Well on my drive back to Washington I got a call from the HR telling me that I needed to meet with the EAP rep so I could be cleared to go back to work. Well I was told that the psychologist in California was not acceptable for worker in Washington to use so I needed to go see the one in Tacoma . Well I forgot that I was to meet with him until the alarm on my phone went of while at the Shooting ranger. I packed up my gear and headed to meet with him. When I got to his office I checked to see if he had a no gun allowed sign posted he didn't so I decided to keep my gun at my side in its holster instead of placing it under the seat in my truck where someone could break in and find it.
After he told me the reason Boeing wanted me to see him[
The reason as he stated was they being Boeing thought that I was going to go postal at work.] I asked him what does that mean? And he responded with going in to work to shoot people then myself as the postal employees did. I said that it would be impossible for me to go Postal due to I was not a USPS employee and to go postal by definition means that you would have to be employed by the USPS. I then asked him if he would have a problem with me being armed. He replied "Why are you armed now?" I answered yes I am I have a Washington State CCW license that allows me to carry a gun concealed I then lifted my shirt to show him. He then started to say "Who in their right mind brings a gun" That is where I said I am in my right mind and I did bring a gun. As I checked before entering your office to see if you had a no guns allowed sign up you didn't I also did not have time to stop at home and put my gun away before coming here to meet you. He then asked why I just didn't leave it in my car. I told him that I was driving a truck that has no trunk or a glove box that locked and for me to just leave a loaded gun in my truck where a thief could easily get it and use it in a crime did not sit well with me so I kept it where I knew it would be safe.
He then told me that no weapons of any kind are allowed in his office and if I was to bring any to the next visit he would have to refuse to see me. This is where I should have just let things be but didn't. I asked for him to define what he means by weapons. For my father and uncle both taught me what they learned in the army anything can be used as a weapon or equalizer if the person attacking is bigger then you. He responded with knives and guns, I then asked is that all you consider as weapons cause that would leave a lot of everyday items that if used properly could kill a person in 5 minutes or less. He then said "Like what?" I answered a number two pencil if you look at it it has a sharp point and is long enough to reach the major artery's in the human body. He then said you have thought about this a lot. I replied everyone who paid attention in high school biology knows where the major artery's are and what would happen if they were cut or punctured I then told him that when I came back tomorrow I would leave my gun at home along with my knives and pen and pencil. Well I received a call from him the next day at 2pm telling me he could not see me any more and that he gave the Boeing EAP the reason why. I called the EAP and told her that the Doctor had a problem with me exercising my second amendment right and did not want to treat me.
Well two weeks later I get a call from HR telling me to call in Friday for a phone meeting I call in and get told I was being fired for carrying a gun. I started to argue that they did not have the right to tell me that I am not allowed to carry a gun when I am not on their property. My union rep told me to save it and wait for his call. Well that was back in August of 2010 it is now Feb 2011 and still waiting for the arbitrator to decide who is at fault. I can not get a lawyer till the union and Boeing get done with the arbitration.
Below is the reply I got from my union rep
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding your grievance. I have talked with the company and they have revised their settlement offer to $100K. The company has made it clear to me that this is their final offer regarding your grievance and if it is not acceptable to you, they will await the decision of the arbitration hearing. As I have mentioned to you previously, if we go forward with arbitration, the arbitrator could completely disagree with our case and side with the company to uphold the termination with no award given to you whatsoever. The bottom line is that arbitration is never a sure bet even for really great cases.
So from talking to the lawyers they told me to come see them before signing any papers regarding a settlement to make sure I was not giving up my rights to sue them. In Washington state you can be fired at will but Boeing messed up when they told me they were firing me for having a gun. If they had just said your are fired I would have nothing to say but bye. Due to that and them labeling me as someone who will come in and start shooting coworkers then myself has pissed me off due to no place is going to hire me now with that being the reason I was fired from my last job. And due to Boeing laying off workers they will get jobs else where where my resume might come across their desk and then get thrown in the trash.
So I now I am looking for work while collecting unemployment waiting to get back to work at Boeing when they lose the arbitration. Though I expect after being back two months Boeing will lay me off and make sure my resume never gets accepted again for open jobs. So I refused their 100k offer due to it not being enough money for trying to violate my 2nd amendment right to bear arms when not on their property. And by Boeing having to admit they errored in firing me I will be able to list I was laid off when I apply for a new job else where
