Oregon: State Employees Left Defenseless by New “No Firearms” Policy

Earlier this month, Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s Department of Administrative Services released a memorandum announcing a new policy prohibiting state employees from possessing a personal firearm in the workplace, even if they have a concealed handgun license.  This policy strips the right to self-defense from many law-abiding state employees, board and commission members, volunteers, and other public servants working in state agencies, infringing upon their Second Amendment rights and leaving them defenseless.

Yesterday, the Oregon Senate Republicans took action and filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Department of Administrative Services requesting public records regarding this new “No Firearms” policy.  To read the full press release from the Oregon Senate Republicans, click here.

In addition to prohibiting firearms in the workplace, the new policy also prohibits state employees from keeping personal firearms in their vehicles during work hours.  Throughout the country, many employers have adopted “No Firearms” policies that extend beyond the physical workplace to include employee parking lots – areas often accessible to the general public and not secure.  These misguided policies leave employees to choose between protecting themselves during their commutes and being subject to disciplinary action (possibly termination) by their employers.  The fundamental right to self-defense should not stop simply because employees park their cars in publicly accessible parking lots owned by their employers.

This misguided move by Governor Kate Brown's agency infringes upon the Second Amendment rights of the many law-abiding state employees who work in her executive agencies and leaves them defenseless.

Your NRA is currently reviewing the policy and will pursue all remedies to restore one's right to self-defense.