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Forcier Bill Protects Weapon Rights
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Forcier Bill Protects Weapon Rights HARRISBURG - Properly licensed state executive branch employees who choose to carry a concealed weapon while on the job cannot face employment retribution under legislation sponsored by Rep. Teresa Forcier (R-6)."In light of an increased focus on workplace security from outside forces, President George Bush recently signed into law a provision allowing properly trained and licensed pilots to carry firearms on board airplanes," Forcier said. "My legislation in the same vein allows state executive branch employees who have been through increased background checks required to obtain a Pennsylvania concealed weapon permit to maintain their means of self defense in the workplace."In 1999 then-Gov. Tom Ridge ordered his department secretaries to each develop a policy to prevent workplace violence and then implement it in their departments. Then-Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary James Seif placed in his policy a requirement that DEP employees not carry firearms to and from work even if they have a permit. No other department secretary put such a condition in his or her policy.The proposed bill, called the Commonwealth Employees' Right to Self Defense Act, is modeled after the state's Whistleblower Law but will only apply to state executive branch employees. This includes anyone who works in the executive branch in a state agency, department, division, bureau, board, commission, council or authority.The legislation forbids supervisors from firing, threatening or otherwise discriminating against an employee for exercising his or her self-defense rights by carrying a concealed weapon as long as the employee was not within a detention facility, correctional institution or mental hospital."I have tried to work with former DEP Secretary James Seif, current Secretary David Hess, former Gov. Tom Ridge and current Gov. Mark Schweiker to have this policy changed without success," Forcier said. "Everyone has a right to carry a firearm if properly licensed." http://www.pahousegop.com/press/December01/forcie2r_12_10_01.htm