Should employees be aloud to bring firearms for self defense IF the customers are also allowed to carry firearms?

[Anonymous]

I work as a stocker in walmart lol I often see many customers carrying firearms on their hips or belts and at most times makes me believe at Anytime if a coworker were to be held at gunpoint at the cash register or anywhere, or a customer decided to pull their weapon to fire and no police were near by, there would be absolutely nothing we could do about it it's just open season for the customers and us at that point. Now I know their Avoid Deny Defend procedure is supposed to be a guide for us in this scenario and based on their guidance we are supposed to run if we can call police or if we can't do that we can attack the gunman but let's be serious here the second the gun goes off you're dead or close to it and the closest thing to a weapon you'll ever be around is just not enough to actually defend yourself from a shooter. Honestly I think every business should give you some sort of bullet proof vest now a days

But what do you think? Should employees be allowed to carry concealed if the customers are also allowed to be in the building carrying concealed?

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

No, for three reasons mostly. First most won't even be trained on how to use their firearm so a gunfight will ensue with lots of potential innocents being in the way and neither have training. There will be even more casualties that way.

Two, if someone has pulled a gun on you already, the likelihood of you even getting to your own gun is low. Even if you do somehow get to it, again, you don't want a gun fight where innocents are.

Three, you having a gun and using it on company grounds puts the company at legal risk and most companies won't be willing to put up with that risk. That's why most times they won't even let you try and stop people from running out of the store if they try to steal.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't finding a better place to work make more sense?

[NamerOfStars]

If you're under attack by someone who's THAT good with a gun, then your having one is well is just going to make you a target- unless you're also required to be an expert with one, and BOY HOWDY, would send the employer's liability insurance rates through the roof, to say nothing of shrinking the candidate pool.

Fortunately, the typical nutjob who walks into a business and opens fire isn't an expert marksman; you're much safer trying to get away then to attack him.

[TonyV]

Depending on what state you live in you are. I was told in my ccw class I have the right to "stand my ground" at home and at work.

[RebelinSteel]

Well yeah a lot of under 18s would be on the till and sure give them a gun.

[gorydetails]

It's up to the employer.