Yeah, that whole “I thought we were friends” thing sucks and can be hard to respond to.
It comes down to saying things like “I’d like to think we are, but I don’t understand why you keep trying to make me look bad now that I’m your boss.” and “You know, they don’t let me get away with not doing my job just because I’m friends with you guys.”
I get that, clearly. I was simply inquiring about the second guy, presumably the one suspended. On the basis of what we know (or can reasonably infer), I can’t see him at fault in any way. He’s (presumably) legally entitled to carry a firearm under state law, obliged not to carry one on the job, carries while not on duty, leaves it in his locker while working. There may be facts I’m missing that would make the suspension completely logical – but (presuming he has a legal concealed carry permit, is not violating some other company policy requirement, and is not carrying while on duty as a supposedly unarmed security person), he seems not to be doing anything wrong. If he is breaking a company rule in bringing his weapon with him and leaving it in his locker, that’s a different story. I’m simply asking for the point behind his being suspended. There’s at least one fact or policy statement missing to have it make sense, at least to me.
I actually prefer something where the violation is black and white and you can fall back on “the law” that you have to follow. It’s harder to enforce more abstract things and it’s easier to let them slide for your friends and this can get you into trouble too.
“I thought we were, too, which is why I’m having such a hard time understanding why you seem to be intent on getting me fired.”
I’ve told people “I don’t need to be ‘cool’ with you. I need you to do your job properly.” You consider us “friends”? That’s fine. So let me tell you as a “friend” that your behavior or incompetance may get you fired. I’ll help you fix it but don’t expect me to ignore it or cover it up.
Is this it? From the OP –
To answer the question that seems to be up for debate: Yes it is legal to have a concealed carry weapon. However, our company property is private property. The property owners do not want firearms on property, therefore no one is allowed to have one on property. It isn’t an arrestable offense, but we don’t have to let anyone who has a weapon stay on property either. As such, it is definitely against policy for those who have to enforce a rule to break the rule.
And yes, I’m being fairly vague because I’m fairly certain my company wouldn’t like me to share specifics, even anonymously, on the web.
As a follow up, one was fired, the other was written up and apologized to me. I think he’ll turn out ok. I just need to work on my supervisory skills now. Set a better example through my own actions so I can feel justified expecting the same from everyone else and so forth. I need to draw the line in the sand more clearly, and crack down on certain little things (like the carrying of pocket knives) so that the slippery slope argument can’t be used for big things (like carrying a firearm). Live and learn I guess.