Bill Aims To Allow Concealed Carry In Workplace Parking Lots

By Tanya Hutchins , nbc4

Managment shouldn’t infringe on employees’ Second Amendement rights, according to State Rep. Joe Uecker.

“House Bill 571 is a fair, viable effort to protect employees in the state of Ohio. When enacted, it will prevent employees from unjust discrimination or termination simply for exercising their second amendment rights,” Uecker said.

When asked why government buildings like the Ohio Statehouse are exempt from the bill, Uecker said, “At the present time, the bill as written will not include legislators while at the Statehouse or other government buildings. The bill was proposed at the request of many citizens and is for their benefit, not the legislature’s. However, if there is interest to expand the bill, I will be open for suggestions during the committee process.”

The Central Ohio Chair of the Buckeye Firearms Association supports the bill.

“This is going to protect people with their self-defense,” said Linda Walker. “Right now, they’ve effectively been disarmed by their employer, so now this will give them the option of being able to at least protect themselves,” she said.

Some Central Ohioans wonder if the proposed law would affect workplace violence situations.

“A lot of jobs wonder if a person gets fired bad terms, that they’re going to go to their car and come back in and they’ll have that gun in the car and just come back in the job or be outside shooting,” said Donte White.

House Bill 571 was introduced this week and has yet to be assigned to a committee. Schools, colleges, universities, places of worship and open air arenas are exempt, among other places, like police stations, sheriff’s offices and state highway patrol stations.

To read the bill as introduced, click here.