Oregon has a new policy that prevents most state employees from carrying a concealed handgun to work, even if they have a license to carry. The policy does not hold for state police and other jobs where carrying a gun is required. It’s illegal in Oregon to bring a gun into a court or other public building, unless the carrier has a concealed handgun license.
Oregon’s new governor Kate Brown (who took over for Gov. Kitzhaber and then was elected) put forth the policy, which took effect January 6. Republican lawmakers have since been vocal about criticizing the policy. They have issued a press release and used social media to speak out against it.
“The governor’s administration has no business confiscating self-defense rights from public servants, volunteers and others, who have committed themselves to serving our state,” Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, said in a statement.
Oregon’s House Minority Leader, Mike McLane, a Republican from Powell Butte, has said he will ask Gov. Brown to explain the legal basis for the policy. If the legal basis is not sound, he has said he will ask her to reverse it. Brown’s press secretary Chris Pair described her new policy as a clarification of existing state policy.
Public employers have the right to prevent employees from bringing guns to work, even if they are legally licensed to do carry. Gov. Brown’s new policy applies to all executive branch state agencies and employees. The policy does not apply to employees in the judicial and legislative branches.
