Employees with valid concealed weapons permits now have the right to bring their licensed firearms into company parking lots. You can no longer ban these employees from transporting or storing their firearms or ammunition inside their privately-owned vehicles as long as (1) the firearm is locked in the trunk, glove box, or an enclosed compartment within the vehicle, (2) the firearm and ammunition remain in the vehicle when the employees are in their vehicles, and (3) the vehicles are parked in a permitted location. You can still prohibit employees from carrying weapons into company-owned buildings and in company-owned vehicles.
Coverage: All employers who have employees and work locations in the state of Ohio.
Effective Date: Currently in effect.
Action Required: You should review your policy to ensure that it does not prohibit employees with concealed weapons permits from storing their firearms and/or ammunition in privately owned vehicles parked on company property.
Ohio’s new gun law expands the rights of concealed weapon permit holders and broadens the scope of places where they may carry firearms and ammunition. A practice previously prohibited in many employer policies, the new law now gives permit holders the right to bring their licensed firearms into company parking lots. Indeed, employer policies can no longer ban an individual with a valid concealed handgun license from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition inside his or her privately-owned vehicle if: (1) the firearm and ammunition are stored in a locked trunk, glove box, or enclosed compartment in the vehicle when the employee is not in the vehicle; (2) the firearm and ammunition remain in the vehicle when the individual is in the vehicle; and (3) the vehicle is parked in a permitted location. Employers can still prohibit employees, as well as customers and other third parties, from carrying weapons into company-owned buildings or in company-owned vehicles.
The new law also provides immunity for employers that choose to allow, or even prohibit, handguns on their premises. Specifically, unless you act with “malicious purpose,” you will not be found liable in a civil lawsuit for any injury, death, or loss of life or property caused by or related to the fact that the firearm was brought on to your premises or property. You also will not be found liable for any injury, death, or loss of life or property caused by or related to your decision to permit a license holder to bring or prohibit a license holder from bringing a firearm onto your premises or property.
You should review your current policy and ensure that it allows individuals with valid Ohio concealed carry licenses to bring their weapons to work so long as they remain locked in their privately-owned vehicles consistent with the provisions detailed above. You should also make sure your policies clearly state your position with respect to the carrying of weapons in company owned buildings and/or company vehicles.
As always, please feel free to contact your Human Resources Business Partner if you have any questions.