I've been mulling over the latest round of workplace shootings, and came up with the following letter to my manager. Whatchyall think?
------------------
Mike,
You’ve undoubtedly noticed the widely-reported incidents of workplace violence. Statistically, violent crime is down nationwide, but with the news media running these incidents as banner stories for weeks at a time, coycat crimes are actually up.
MCI has a policy against concealed weapons on their premises. Even our security guards are unarmed, rendering them utterly useless in the face of an armed psycho. With this in mind, how are we to protect ourselves against the stereotypical “digruntled former employee?” The police can’t protect us, nor are they required to, according the the US Supreme Court. Feel-good policies which disarm the good guys don’t mean squat to a maniac hell-bent on getting revenge; no criminal was ever dissuaded by a sign saying “This is a weapons-free facility.”
In the interest of the safety of all MCI employees and contractors, I propose that the policy against concealed weapons be changed as follows:
-Licensed CHL (Concealed Handgun License) holders be permitted to carry their firearms in a discreet manner. Open carry, while 100% legal in Colorado Springs, tends to distract people of a certain mind-set.
-Manager’s and director’s written approval for the employee to carry, submitted to the head of security.
-Perhaps limiting carry ammo to frangible bullets (i.e., MagSafe and Glaser Safety Slugs), to prevent collateral damage in the event that firing becomes necessary.
Frankly, I’d feel much safer knowing that anyone who enters this building with evil intent would be stopped before he could kill 20 or 30 of us, most likely without a shot being fired (according to criminologist Gary Kleck, 98% of potential crimes are prevented by the mere presence of a firearm).
What’s your opinion on this?
-----------------
Now, if the guards come to escort me out of the building, I'll know this didn't go over well.
------------------
"The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question.." Article 11, Section 13, CO state constitution.
------------------
Mike,
You’ve undoubtedly noticed the widely-reported incidents of workplace violence. Statistically, violent crime is down nationwide, but with the news media running these incidents as banner stories for weeks at a time, coycat crimes are actually up.
MCI has a policy against concealed weapons on their premises. Even our security guards are unarmed, rendering them utterly useless in the face of an armed psycho. With this in mind, how are we to protect ourselves against the stereotypical “digruntled former employee?” The police can’t protect us, nor are they required to, according the the US Supreme Court. Feel-good policies which disarm the good guys don’t mean squat to a maniac hell-bent on getting revenge; no criminal was ever dissuaded by a sign saying “This is a weapons-free facility.”
In the interest of the safety of all MCI employees and contractors, I propose that the policy against concealed weapons be changed as follows:
-Licensed CHL (Concealed Handgun License) holders be permitted to carry their firearms in a discreet manner. Open carry, while 100% legal in Colorado Springs, tends to distract people of a certain mind-set.
-Manager’s and director’s written approval for the employee to carry, submitted to the head of security.
-Perhaps limiting carry ammo to frangible bullets (i.e., MagSafe and Glaser Safety Slugs), to prevent collateral damage in the event that firing becomes necessary.
Frankly, I’d feel much safer knowing that anyone who enters this building with evil intent would be stopped before he could kill 20 or 30 of us, most likely without a shot being fired (according to criminologist Gary Kleck, 98% of potential crimes are prevented by the mere presence of a firearm).
What’s your opinion on this?
-----------------
Now, if the guards come to escort me out of the building, I'll know this didn't go over well.
------------------
"The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question.." Article 11, Section 13, CO state constitution.