(Memphis, TN) Starting Monday, a Tennessee law that allows gun permit holders to have their guns in cars will be on the books.
But it remains unclear if employers can block employees from leaving the guns in cars in work parking lots if the employer has a policy banning guns.
“The question that we don’t have an answer to is whether or not an employer can discipline someone for bringing into that employer’s employee parking area. The state attorney general has said the employer has all the rights they had before. But Lt. Governor Ramsey who was one of the sponsors in the senate wrote a letter that says no employees would be protected because it’s public policy,” said Memphis employment and labor attorney Paul Prather.
“Ultimately, I think we will see a case and I think we will see the courts resolve this issue,” added Prather, who said that might take time.
He said in the meantime, ask yourself if you really need the gun in your car and follow the strict rules.
“The critical thing is if you’re a permit holder, it must be your car can’t be someone else’s car and can’t be a rental car. It must be out of plain sight if you’re in the car and locked in a container if you are in the car,” Prather said.