AutoZone employee fired for stopping robbery with a handgun.

[bp231986]

Its sad that we now punish people for doing the right thing.....Truely sad.

 

[jaykellogg]

My guess is the corporate lawyers are behind the decision. They create the policy and if the company goes against their own policy that could come up in court. We live in a very litigious society.

IMO, the decision looked good at the time their lawyers proposed it. If we keep pushing, perhaps they'll take another look. My guess is they are hunkering down now and hoping this blows over soon.

My son manages a convenience store which was robbed when he was manager (but not when he was in the store). Their corporate policy is no firearms at work.

I am sure the policy assumes it is cheaper to give up a few bucks in a robbery than to give up big bucks in court. Further I am confident the policy assumes that once the robber gets all the money he won't hurt anyone. If the robber shot anyone who owned a handgun (but didn't carry it due to store policy) perhaps the could sue, but workman's comp prevents you from suing an employer except in case of extreme disregard for safety.

Some privately owned stores have guns on the premises and it is quite common to find gun store employees packing.

 

[Old TexMex]

The idea that a robber will politely leave after getting "paid" is dated. There's no professional ethics among modern holdup mugs. When anyone produces a weapon, it's no longer business, it's personal. That man wasn't protecting AutoZone money- he was protecting himself.
He's got a better job in his future.

 

[Joewisc]

I understand the sentiments here but it's evident to me that Autozone's legal department likely called the shots here to be on "the safe side" as have other companies that fear litigation.

Even though this particular incident could be considered a matter of "self-defense" the line is blurry when it comes to use of "reasonable force." Mas Ayoob should probably weigh in here. The famous case of New York vs. Frank Migliato may be applicable, which Ayoob has written about extensively. Migliato held a raging motorist at bay when his Colt went off due to a supposedly "hair trigger" resulting in a fatality. Despite claims of self-defense, Migliato went to prison.

Mas, if you're out there, a word from the wise would be appreciated.

 

[Chaosrob]

I sent them an email along with my number for them to look up my purchases in the past three years. 14 cars require a lot of parts/fluids, oil, etc. I am sure it will not make a difference, but I did so anyway.

 

[627 city hunter]

Their phone tree is absolutely ridiculous!

I have to buy several parts for my Jeep this weekend after pay day.

I am going to tell the manager my opinion in person.

Then I am going to NAPA.

 

[jaykellogg]

That man wasn't protecting AutoZone money- he was protecting himself.
He's got a better job in his future.

Actually, according to the news today he was protecting his manager. I understand WHY AutoZone has the policy, I just think it is a cop out.

 

[Joewisc]

O-O-O'Reilly...

 

[627 city hunter]

That O'Reilly jingle is so catchy!!!

Not-gonna-be-going-to Armed Robbery Zone!

 

[nipster]

You all realize that virtually every publically traded company has a policy about their employees carrying guns while working.

You "boycot" people wont be able to shop very many places if you "stick to your guns" on this issue.

I dont agree with companies doing this, but it's their right I guess.

 

[nipster]

Their phone tree is absolutely ridiculous!

I have to buy several parts for my Jeep this weekend after pay day.

I am going to tell the manager my opinion in person.

Then I am going to NAPA.

Why are you going to hassle a hard working employee about this? The local managers have absolutely zero to do with the corporate policy.

 

[nipster]

My guess is the corporate lawyers are behind the decision. They create the policy and if the company goes against their own policy that could come up in court. We live in a very litigious society.

IMO, the decision looked good at the time their lawyers proposed it. If we keep pushing, perhaps they'll take another look. My guess is they are hunkering down now and hoping this blows over soon.

My son manages a convenience store which was robbed when he was manager (but not when he was in the store). Their corporate policy is no firearms at work.

THIS.......

 

[Chaosrob]

You all realize that virtually every publically traded company has a policy about their employees carrying guns while working.

You "boycot" people wont be able to shop very many places if you "stick to your guns" on this issue.

I dont agree with companies doing this, but it's their right I guess.

Sure it is their right, as is our right. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but when it is shoved in your face you are forced to make a decision. I can only do what I feel is right in a situation like this. I may not make a huge impact, but at least I can go down swinging.

Complacency is what shut down main street USA. We all walked around feeling good about going to a chain store to save a buck, refusing to see that we were put our neighbors out of business.

 

[snubbyfan]

Like they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

 

[Chaosrob]

Why are you going to hassle a hard working employee about this? The local managers have absolutely zero to do with the corporate policy.

This is not true. They are a pipeline to the upper management. All companies have to make decisions based on customer feedback. If you do not pass on reasons why you are not going to shop there change will never come. It may not come anyway but too often we just throw our hands in the air claiming we cannot make a difference. What is wrong with voicing opinions, and actually carrying them to the place you have issue with?

 

[jaykellogg]

When you shop, inquire what the store's policy is regarding guns on the work premises by employees.

My guess is AutoZone's policy (which I don't agree with) is pretty universal.

 

[Chaosrob]

When you shop, inquire what the store's policy is regarding guns on the work premises by employees.

My guess is AutoZone's policy (which I don't agree with) is pretty universal.

Missouri Law says an employer cannot keep an employee from keeping a firearm in their vehicle. They can prevent them from carrying inside the work site, but not on their property outside the building.

 

[PatAz]

Email sent to Autozone and I will never shop there again.

 

[MikeChandler]

I bet the bandit is laughing his backside off at this moment, and planning to return.

 

[feralmerril]

Unless you own a farm or work in your own one man store, garage or whatever, except for us retires, just what percentage of the jobs allow you to knowinly bring a gun to work? I bet darn few! If I ran or owned a business it would be like the armys policy of dont ask, dont tell.
I was a guard at lockheed aircraft. Many times we searched cars for guns and other stuff. You signed off your rights and was informed of wich rights as a condition of employment when you hired in. Dont agree? Go to work for less than half as much elsewhere. Several guards, one in particular were like a bloodhound in profileing what cars to check and finding guns. I was the worst at it. I found none, and I thought I was good at profileing.
A wounded robber or family survivers wont get much from a mom and pop store in a lawsuite and will probley lose. They do stand a chance though of getting a settelment from a huge industry that dont want the publicity and jurys prone to punish big bad corperations.
39 people posted before me. How many of you that work for big companys will let you knowinly bring a gun in? I dont doubt some hide them in their cars but I highly doubt you tell the plant manager you do, right?