It is common practice in the U.S to keep a gun in the workplace for personal safety?
I'm only familiar with Canadian customs.. where this is completely unheard of.

One of my neices lives in Florida, works alone, and in a bad area of the city, she said. She has pepper spray and a stun gun... but after a scary incident the other day, her husband is encouraging her to get a actual gun, and others are agreeing.. suggesting small types suitable for her small stature.
She most definitely needs to keep safe, and to "feel" safe, but...a GUN? This solution seems totally shocking to me.
And wouldnt that be a danger in itself... a deadly weapon on the premises?

Surely there is a better way? She was asking if there were any other alternatives.. I just dont know, since I'm so unfamaliar with the situation, the area, the customs and the law. I'm in the dark...


But the first thing that came to my mind was this:
Isnt it up to her employer to ensure her personal safety in her workplace? Is there a legal responsibility?
Should she be working alone in an area of high risk?

Since the only Americans I know are here on our forum, this seemed a good place to ask for input.

Goodness Fran, I would think the best thing to do would be
to find a job in a safer place. It seems only natural that the
employer should be responsible for safety in the work
place, I assume the laws are in place.

Mary, yes.. another job would be what I'd be looking for.
It's just that jobs are hard to find in Fla right now...She lost the long time one she had, and this one is fairly new.
She and her husband just bought their first house.. and financially they really need 2 incomes.

I too thought there MUST be some law that protects employees from danger..

In answer to your first question, No, it's not normal for us to have guns in the workplace. Most companies even forbid them. My first response to her would be...find another job! It seems to me that an employer should feel obligated to make sure their employee was safe. I also worry that by her carrying a gun, she's in jeopardy of having it taken away from her and being shot with her own gun!!! In order to carry, you must be willing to shoot and kill someone. If you're not, you shouldn't have one! You cannot expect that because you point a gun at someone, it's going to prevent them from harming you. It usually works quite the opposite.

This is pretty scary.........

It is scary, Cat... very.
And what you mentioned is what chills me to the bone...that by having a weapon.. she could become the victim.

I'm going to phone her later.. she had this posted on her Facebook page. I absolutley think she should NOT consider this as any type of "answer"..
What even shocked me more was that so many of her friends were in agreement with this! What the heck??

NO job is worth having to arm yourself...

sad to say, it happens. Here in upper New York, rural, actually any where in NY you must have a license. There was a time it was never heard of but now, some of the business owners have them at the work place, but not employee's it is not allowed. There are some people who carry one in their car. In NYC, most carry a gun,or a stun gun, pepper spray etc. I had pepper spray when I was a nurse because I did night duty and had a long walk to the car.. but I had to sign for it at the drug store.. most of us, not all have guns in our homes, and know how to use them. John, wanted me to practice last year with him out back with a target. He said I needed to keep up with it, I told him, I could shoot ok, I am not fond of guns or killing anything, my daddy taught me to shoot with my brothers, what every little girl should know. Finally I said ok, took the rifle and hit the bullseye three times. he said, guess you do.
I would never carry one with me, because I feel it would invite trouble, I agree her boss should provide them with a safe enviroment ,it has to be so scary for her.

Hello from Texas where guns are considered, well, with mixed emotions. I started to learn how to handle guns when I was about 10 or 11, and at that time, from a family whose backgrounds were linked to hunting to provide food, that was normal. I no longer believe this is seen the same in large cities, only smaller towns. I never hunted, but I have shot a deer rifle and a shotgun, owned a derringer, and handled other guns. If you do not know how to use a gun, do not get one. The rules have not changed. No matter what anyone may try to tell you, handguns are for killing people. period. If he's bad enough for you to pull a gun on him, he is bad enough for you to shoot him, If he is bad enough to shoot him, he is bad enough to kill him. If you do not fully intend to kill someone, there is no reason for you to own a gun. Also, the others are correct. It is usually against company policies to have guns at the workplace. My computer would have been gone, believe me. My supervisor would be calling IT for a new monitor every couple of weeks
There are always options, usually increasing your sense of safety consists of being familiar with your surroundings, parking where there is light and, preferably, people you know or recognize. Keys can be moved to stick out of your fist, ready to rake or stab. Always have your phone ready. but don'i ialk on the phone when going to or from your car. Lessons in safety and self defense are offered by police and private groups.
I hope the situation improves, and honestly I don't believe a gun is a good answer
Gail

No, guns are not common in most workplaces and are illegal to carry in most states without permits. Ditto for stun guns in many states.

As others have said, unless she knows how to use a handgun and is willing to kill someone with it, having it will only increase her vulnerability. It's like idiots and 4-wheel drive on ice. "Dah, I have 4-wheel drive so I can't have an accident even if it's 100% snow and ice covered roads." By thinking the gun will deter assailants will encourage your neice to stand her ground or get into situations of risk. Best to avoid the problems in the first place, rather than try shooting your way out of one.

How very scarry...
I just can't imagine carrying a gun....
What has the world turn into?
Such a sad state of affairs..

Way back in the "70's, we bought a piece of
land in Florida.
The company flew Don and a neighbor, who also bought, down there
to view.
The sales person who was diving them around....every time he got in the car,
he would unlock the glove compartment, then when they left the car, he would lock

the glove compartment.
Don finally got curious and asked him what's up with that? He shows Don what is
in the glove compartment....a gun of course.
Coming form small town Canada, I just can't imagine...
I could leave my house right now, at after 10pm, and walk towards down town,
walk all around down town, and not feel unsafe or threatened.

I hope your neice does not get a gun, Fran.
I can only think it would be used against her, should she feel
the need to take it out.
It would take a lot of nerve, and no hesitation in taking a gun out and shooting someone...
something I don't think I could ever do..

I really hope she can find a job in a safer environement..no one should feel so unsafe on the job...

Thanks for your feedback on this, friends.

Because of the different gun laws in our respective countries... I really didnt know if this was something that was "done" in the U.S or not.

The only firearms in Canada are owned by hunters really, and of course, the criminals who have them illegally.
It's common knowledge that some U.S residents may choose to keep a gun in their home. Didnt know some also kept them in their cars...
I just couldnt fathom the idea of having one in the workplace.. and it being permitted. ( which I see it isnt)

She's got the application - needs to take training first, she said.
This is what she added:
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services administers the concealed weapons program. Florida is lenient in its application procedure to carry a concealed weapon and recognizes the right to self-defense. The state stresses to gun owners that the law protects those who use their weapon in self-defense.

"Self defence"????? omg...
As you've pointed out...If you're not completely committed - ready,willing and able to use deadly force.. this could backfire with tragic consequences

My niece grew up in the city, to my knowledge has zero experience with firearms. I simply cannot imagine her ever firing a weapon, period The whole idea is mind-boggling.
And so having one.. and the danger THIS poses is what is "really" terrifying to consider..

I've not talked to her yet - left a message. Am very anxious to do so.
I couldnt stress enough to her when I do how terrible an idea I think this is.
Her call, I realize. We are pretty close, but I'm just her aunt..and a "Canadian" one at that.
I'm sure she'll put more stock in what her husband and friends think, naturally.
And they apparently back the idea..

Which also boggles my mind. Dont know what the scary incident was yet. Though I do understand her husband wants to help her feel safe.. I cannot believe he is "for" arming his wife as a solution.