Rowland to ban state employees from having guns in offices
State agencies issue memo re new policy NEW 9/19/99
HARTFORD, Conn., August 3, 1999 (AP) State employees would be banned from
bringing guns and other dangerous weapons to work under an
executive order Gov. John G. Rowland plans to issue this week.
A draft of the order, obtained by The Associated Press, states any
executive branch employee who violates the ''zero tolerance''
workplace safety order will be disciplined, and could be fired.
The order also bars state employees from threatening or attempting
to use a weapon, or from threatening to kill or harm others at state
offices and work sites.
''Some people try to argue about their right to carry a gun in the
workplace, and they've got a permit and all of that. But you know, I
think we have to take some dramatic steps,'' Rowland said in an
interview with the AP this week.
''With what's happened in this country in the last few years, I think
workers ... should have a sense of safety,'' he said. ''They should
have a sense that there is a standard, that guns are not going to be
allowed into my workplace.''
Last year Matthew Beck, a 35-year-old accountant, shot and killed
four managers at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters before killing
himself. Rowland's order follows up on recommendations for improving
state office safety.
State employee unions said they welcomed an emphasis on safety,
but said the policy focused too much on punishment.
Legal experts said Rowland has the right to dictate a weapons policy
for state employees, but some said the policy is unenforceable and
others doubted it would make state workplaces any safer.
''What has he just done? He's said it's open season on state work
establishments,'' said Ralph D. Sherman, a West Hartford lawyer who
defends gun owners' rights. ''Mass murderers frequently target places
like post offices and schools because they know people don't have
guns in those places.''
Sherman said the policy should concern female employees who work
in cities where crime is common and other employees, such as social
workers, inspectors and medical workers, who must travel in
dangerous areas.
The order would not apply to state troopers, security guards and
others who must carry weapons on the job.
The order would apply only to executive branch offices, and Rowland
said each agency would have to develop its own standards and
enforcement methods.
State workers will not be searched or scanned with metal detectors,
but workers who see or hear of weapons or are threatened are urged
to notify supervisors.
Any weapon found would be confiscated, the order states, and ''there
is no reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to such items in
the workplace.''
Under law, people have less of a right to privacy at work than they do
in private life, said Joseph Grabarz, executive director of the
Connecticut Civil Liberties Union.
Employers may even have an obligation to make workplaces safe,
including having a weapons policy, Grabarz said.
Bill Meyerson, a spokesman for AFSCME Council 4, said the union
would like to see more emphasis placed on getting help for coworkers
who threaten violence.
''Employees will be less likely to report an incident if they believe that
someone will be disciplined as opposed to helped,'' Meyerson said.
Robert Crook, a gun lobbyist and head of the Coalition of Connecticut
Sportsmen, said some state employees will perceive the policy as an
intrusion of their rights.
But Rowland said the threat of workplace violence demands new
solutions.
''We can't make this a society that guarantees no threats of violence,
but there are a lot of things we could do better,'' he said.
State agency memo
The following is the text of a memo circulated in September 1999 by a State agency. The
comments at the beginning are by the Gunsafe member who forwarded the memo to us.
In case anyone is interested, here is the verbatim text of a memo
circulated to all Department of ***** employees recently. I'm not
telling you anything new when I state that the policy is ludicrous political
posturing and raises more questions than it answers. I guess the only people
allowed to bring guns into state facilities are the public. The state
employees are forbidden from responsibly protecting themselves or their
co-workers.
VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE PREVENTION POLICY
Issued by Governor John G. Rowland
August 1999
The State of Connecticut adopts a statewide zero tolerance policy for
workplace violence. Therefore, except as may be required as a condition of
employment:
--No employee shall bring into any state worksite any weapon or dangerous
instrument as defined herein.
--No employee shall use, attempt to use, or threaten to use any such weapon
or dangerous instrument in a state worksite.
--No employee shall cause or threaten to cause death or physical injury to
any individual in a state worksite.
Weapon means any firearm, including a BB gun, whether loaded or unloaded, any
knife (excluding a small pen or pocket knife), including a switchblade or
other knife having an automatic spring release device, a stiletto, any police
baton or nightstick or any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon.
Dangerous instrument means any instrument, article, or substance that, under
the circumstances, is capable of causing death or serious physical injury.
Any weapon or dangerous instrument at the worksite will be confiscated and
there is no reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to such items in
the workplace.
Violation of the above reasonable work rules shall subject the employee to
disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
Any employee who fears for their personal safety or for the safety of others
should call police at 911 for situations that require immediate attention.
Contact your supervisor or the ***** Office at ***** for emergency and non-emergency
situations.
