Armed at Work: Lessons From a Georgia Business
Everyone's got a different idea of what keeps the peace. Gandhi preached nonviolent resistance and Georgia businessman Lance Toland believes that armed women are the answer.
"As more people arm themselves, women in particular, the world's going to be a safer place," Toland told The Daily Beast. Referring to his office workers specifically, he said, "This is a group of very, very professional women, well-educated, pilots, but they're armed and they're deadly, so do not screw with us." Prompted by a rash of crime in the metro Atlanta area, Toland sponsored concealed carry licenses for his crew.
Pink Pistols Please
Lance Toland's business insures corporate aircraft. His team works in an office, and is mostly made up of women. Toland himself is always armed and knew of one other woman in the office who was. But she is retiring and the crime spree got him thinking about what would happen if there was a robbery in the office.
"Who's going to protect the office? If I'm not there and [she's] gone, what are the other ladies going to do," Toland asked.
According to the boss, no one opposed his motion to get them all legal. Within a month all had concealed carry licenses and he supplied them with pistols.
There was one minor issue, reportedly. The guns come in only one color. "The only complaint I had was from one of the ladies in the office. She asked if they had it in pink. I'm no slave to fashion; I had to go with black."
Despite his enthusiasm for guns,Toland does insist that they're best left unused. ""Instead of using it, you could diffuse a situation," he suggests.
You, Your Office, and Guns
Can you do what Toland has done in your office? The answer depends on where you live, what business you are in, and whether your workers will acquiesce.
Unless you make having a gun license a condition of employment and you are in security or some other business that would justify this, it's not a good idea to implement this policy. But remember, Toland said his workers did not resist and saw the utility. It may be that your workers too will accept your proposal enthusiastically.
Consult With Counsel
Still, before you make any bold gun-toting moves, you should consult with counsel. Talk to a lawyer about local laws, permit requirements, risks, benefits and any possible insurance or other issues. Get guidance.
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Related Resources:
- Browse Business and Commercial Lawyers by Location (FindLaw Directory)
- Employers: 6 Ways to Protect Against Workplace Violence (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
- How Common Is Violence in the Workplace? (FindLaw Blotter)
- Domestic Violence in the Workplace (Findlaw's Learn About the Law)