Originally posted by Xcathdra
reply to post by Golf66
I am also in Missouri and here is my question -
As a state employee does your job place you into a position of intentionally confronting individuals, on a daily basis, judging their behavior,
finding them innocent or guilty, being the person whose name is on the legislation that just sent joe schmoe to jail for life?
I have had people ive arrested / testified against / parents of children ive had to seize threaten to come kill me.
While I understand the irritation and the perceived double standard, there are specific reasons why those specific entities were allowed to carry.
Judges / PA's are subject to the same criteria as civilians are with the exception of being able to concealed carry in courts / government buildings
like the State Capital.
I was in Special Operations for 17 years in the Army. Personally, I have participated in covert and clandestine operations against drug cartels,
terror organizations and my identity is known to some members of these organizations. I have personally interrogated many a hard case - and I wasn't
limited to the field manual if you understand.... They know my face and likely my name. These people would make your average disgruntled citizen look
like Bugs Bunny in comparison.
While I concede most are dead or locked away and from mostly overseas organizations the fact remains that I directly participated in the
death/detention and or interrogation of many of their members. I suppose they can find me pretty easy if they want. I trust my covers but over time
everything leaks. Google yourself see what comes up. As a former PI from NC it's not hard to find someone.
So why then because I happen to not be a DA, Judge etc can't I carry my firearm when conducting State business as an employee of the Department of
Health and Human Services. Job is Investigator III - I investigate crimes against geriatric patients. Sick people who misstreat and financially
exploit old people - pretty pathetic really. Mostly white collar admitiedly but they certainly have a lot to loose when confronted. I am actually
considering resigning for this reason. If my dairy was doing better I would.
Why can't I carry BTW because the State agency says even though I have the license I can't carry while at work or even in a state owned vehicle in
between places. Am I somehow magically no longer at risk behind the government license plate?
I don't sit behind a bench with metal detectors and guards at the courthouse like the DA and Judge. The courthouse is the safest place they can be.
It’s for their convenience they can carry in the courthouse so they don't have to lock it in their car while at work like everyone else.
It has nothing to do with risk. They can carry anywhere I can when not working that's fair. However, they are never more protected than in the
courthouse. Just my opinion.
Same with he legislators - how much more safe do they need to be behind layers of Capitol Police and scanners? It’s just for their convenience so
they can carry on the walk to and from their car. What about us average citizens? If I were tailing someone for a hit and I knew they carried I’d
wait for them to go to a place where they can’t and have to leave it in the car – and then hit them on the walk in or from the building. It
IMO either you can or can't - no special preference. I do have to concede also that at least here the same training requirements are necessary for
everyone – unlike some places where Judges, DA’s and legislator’s are exempt.
Now if you are an LEO sure whatever you have some special status but it doesn't come from the risk you face , rather it comes with the requirements of
your office. You are in effect always "on duty" when it comes to enforcing the law. Much like I will (even though retired) still always be an
Officer in the Army. I can't just turn it off - # I'm subject to involuntary recall till age 65. I can still issue the oaths for enlistment, preside
at official functions as an officer etc.
I did read that they are changing the law so that any State employees who work at the Capitol building can also (like the legislators) now carry while
at work in the building if they have a permit.
That at least seems more fair. Also, I think that if you work at the court house as a clerk or say in the assessor’s office you can with permission
of the presiding judge also carry concealed in the courthouse. Personally, I think it’s none of the Judges business – the person having already
been cleared by the Sherriff. Just as I have permission from the Sherriff to carry concealed in his office. He extended that to me for my
convenience more than anything. Don't have to disarm and leave it in the car to pop in for a visit.
That said - if you can carry you should be able to do so at your place of employment if it’s for the government. They have in effect already vetted
you during the application process.
For private companies - (I own a dairy and have employees) it’s the owners call. I let mine carry - I even paid for my live in manager’s classes.
So he can have a firearm say if we are transporting some cows and he gets in an accident.
edit on 4/5/2012 by Golf66 because: (no reason
given)
edit on 4/5/2012 by Golf66 because: (no reason given)