Michigan’s Concealed Weapons Law:

"Impact on the Workplace”

Ritchie Coleman, Legislative Liaison Crime Prevention Association of Michigan (CPAM), Public Safety Community Coordinator, Pittsfield Township

Department of Public Safety, Ann Arbor, MI

On September 19, 2001, Pittsfield Township’s Department of Public Safety hosted the first in a series of workshops addressing Michigan’s Concealed Weapons Law (CCW) and its impact on the workplace. This business watch meetings for business owners, managers, and human resource personnel focused on providing insight into the impact of Michigan’s CCW law on workplace rules, OSHA and MIOSHA standards, and defining what business owners should know about the changes from the old to the new requirements for those who receive a permit to carry a concealed weapon. 

Addressing violence in the workplace has been priority for human resource personnel and business owners. The concern with domestic violence, stalking and assaults in the workplace are currently being addressed. The ability to have a concealed weapon adds an increase of corporate and community concern of violence when someone may use a weapon attempting to resolve a personal or matter in the workplace.

Individuals who apply for a CCW permit must meet all of the established criteria in the “Michigan State Police’s CCW application kit” prior to approval by the gun board.  Applications are provided by the local law enforcement agencies and processed by the local County Clerk and Sheriff’s Offices.  Many business owners have asked if they can provided a list of their employees to find out who has applied and been approved for a CCW permit. This information is not maintained by the local agencies and business owners/manager and companies can’t get records of who has applied or received a CCW permit.  The law is silent on what rights businesses have with knowing this information.

Public Act 381, of 2000, “Carrying Concealed Weapons” became effective July 1, 2001. The business community raised the following concerns about the law prior to the effective date:  Will our workplace rules of “no weapons” on the premises be enforceable?  Which rules apply first “OSHA/MIOSH” or company policies stating no weapons on the grounds of the workplace, or the “shall” issue and right to carry a weapon any where except those sites excluded in the law, “ schools, daycare centers, entertainment facilities with 2,500 or more, sports arenas/stadiums, hospitals, dining rooms, lounges or bar areas of premises licensed under the Liquor Control Code, dormitories or classrooms at a community college or university.”

There were also concerns raised by the Hotel/Motel Associations and those that have liquor licenses. Which department from the municipality will be responsible for checking compliance for these locations that are excluded from being able to carry a concealed weapon?

Employers from all businesses are encourage to review their workplace handbooks, personnel policies, workplace safety rules and employee contacts to adapt policy language reflecting a “zero” tolerance to weapons being brought into the workplace. Consequences for policy violations are crucial and should be enforced.  Employee meetings, bulletins, and communication tools should reflect company policies are important to repeat regularly.

The Crime Prevention Association of Michigan (CPAM) www.preventcrime has members located throughout the state with personnel who can provide resources for business owners and municipalities. It is also affiliated with the West Michigan Crime Prevention Association and the Central Michigan Crime Prevention Association.  Crime prevention personnel can provide security surveys, and resources on addressing workplace violence and substance abuse in the workplace.  Please contact the CPAM site to reach your local crime prevention officer/specialist.

In March 2002, Pittsfield Township will host another meeting for the business community “Update: Impact of the CCW Law on the Workplace.”  If you’d like a resource packet on this issue please contact me at (734) 944-1039 or by email at preventioncorner@writeme.com.

11/15/01, fdsk; Municalfolder, MML,CCW