On June 17 Gov. Rick Perry signed SB 321, which provides that a private or public employer may not prohibit an employee from storing a firearm or ammunition in a locked, privately owned motor vehicle in a parking lot, garage or other parking area provided by the employer. The law goes into effect Sept. 1. To store a firearm in his or her vehicle, the employee must hold a concealed handgun license (CHL) or otherwise lawfully possess a firearm. There are exceptions that provide for the prohibition of firearms on school premises, secured areas of airports and chemical, oil and gas manufacturing facilities.
Employers are allowed to prohibit an employee from possessing a firearm in an employer-owned or leased vehicle used by the employee in the course and scope of the employee’s employment. Employers may continue to prohibit employees from possessing firearms in the employers’ buildings.
It is recommended that employers notify their employees and update their employee handbooks to address these new provisions.
Written by Todd Kilkenny, IIAT