A company recently asked me about Illinois’ concealed carry gun law, 430 ILCS 66 (effective 7/9/13). Obviously, this law permits licensed citizens to carry concealed guns.

Specifically, I was asked should they permit concealed carry on company property.  If yes, then to what extent (everyone, only executives, only certain areas)? My answer is an unequivocal NO. In fact, I recommend not permitting concealed carry of any weapons at a any place of business (regardless of location), with very limited exceptions.

Unless a business sells, manufactures or distributes weapons; has had an unfortunate history of more than one serious workplace violence incident; or is under an imminent threat, the idea of letting people carry weapons into a place of business seems insane. The goal of permitting this is to what? Permit employees to protect themselves from each other or from strangers? So, what was happening prior to permitting weapons in the workplace—anarchy?

Our society hasn’t significantly changed since concealed carry went into effect. And there’s no concern about future events that would necessitate the carrying of weapons into the workplace. Yes, people may contend that it protects them from some nut who goes psycho at the workplace, but really what’s the likelihood of concealed carry preventing something like that from occurring or saving your life?

There are many financial considerations too (think about this as due diligence):

  • Insurance-do you need additional insurance for permitting concealed carry? Will permitting weapons on premises increase your other insurance premiums due to increased likelihood of negligence, mishandling, improper safety precautions?
  • How will you handle issues of negligent handling or behavior with weapons?
  • If you permit concealed carry in the workplace, can you afford the costs of training & educating employees on safety, conduct, crises, etc.?
  • Do you allow concealed weapons in all work areas? How do you differentiate which areas to permit or not to permit?
  • Will permitting concealed carry increase your workers compensation expenses? What if someone is injured at work not from being shot but from improperly carrying their weapon?
  • What about the impact on workplace safety & OSHA compliance? Isn’t the odds of injury greatly increased?
  • How will this affect your property value & community?
  • How will this affect your property leasing or rental rates?
  • How will this affect your reputation?
  • Will you be able to monitor up-to-date registration compliance or records for employees?

One could contend that there’s a middle ground here. For example, a company can permit concealed carry in parking lots & only when securely stored in vehicles & unloaded. In fact, Illinois’ law (like other state laws) seems more permissive for vehicular concealed carry rather than on the body concealed carry. For example:

“A licensee may carry a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding his or her vehicle within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicle’s trunk, provided the licensee ensures the concealed firearm is unloaded prior to exiting the vehicle” (Section 65(b).

However, this type of policy still leaves a business exposed to liability & increased insurance & other expenses should something happen in or around the parking lot due to the permissive policy.

The purpose of a business is to make money.  Don’t confound that with trying to balance concealed carry at the workplace.  It’s not worth your business’ money.