Bricker & Eckler No Weapons Policy

Bricker & Eckler LLP believes it is important to establish a clear policy that specifically addresses weapons in the workplace. 

Bricker & Eckler prohibits all persons who enter Firm property from carrying a handgun, firearm, or prohibited weapon of any kind onto the property regardless of whether the person is licensed to carry a handgun or not. 

This policy applies to all Firm partners and employees, contract and temporary employees, visitors on Firm property and clients and contractors on Firm property, whether or not they are licensed to carry a concealed handgun. The only exceptions to this policy are police officers, security guards or other persons who have been given written consent by Bricker & Eckler to carry a weapon on the property. 

All Bricker & Eckler employees are also prohibited from carrying a weapon while in the course and scope of performing their job for the Firm, whether or not they are on Firm property at the time and whether or not they are licensed to carry a handgun. This policy also prohibits weapons at any Firm sponsored function such as parties or picnics. 

Prohibited weapons include any form of weapon or explosive restricted under local, state or federal regulation including all firearms, illegal knives or other weapons covered by the law. Legal chemical dispensing devices such as pepper sprays that are sold commercially for personal protection are not covered by this policy. If you have a question about whether an item is covered by this policy, please call the Chief Human Resource Officer. You will be held responsible for making sure that any potentially covered item you possess is not prohibited by this policy. 

"Firm property" covered by this policy includes, without limitation, all Bricker & Eckler owned or leased buildings and access ramps under the Firm's ownership or control. 

SEARCHES

Bricker & Eckler reserves the right to conduct searches of any person, vehicle or object that enters Firm property. Pursuant to this provision, the Firm is authorized to search lockers, desks, purses, briefcases, baggage, toolboxes, lunch sacks, clothing, vehicles parked on Firm property, and any other item in which a weapon may be hidden. Searches may be conducted by Firm management or local authorities. To the extent the search is requested by Firm management and the employee is present, the employee may refuse the search; provided, however, that such refusal may result in termination of employment for refusal to cooperate. The Firm reserves the right to conduct searches on its property or authorize searches by law enforcement on its property without the employee being present. 

EXCEPTIONS

Any person (client, employee, partner, etc.) wishing to carry a concealed handgun on Bricker & Eckler property must make a written request addressed to the Managing Partner before bringing a concealed handgun on Firm property. The request must state the reason for the exception and include verifiable proof that the individual has been licensed to carry a concealed handgun. 

Approved license holders must keep their handguns concealed ON THEIR PERSON (i.e., NOT in a desk drawer, purse, briefcase, portfolio, etc.) and under their control at all times. The weapon may NOT be left at the office when the approved license holder leaves the building. In addition, license holders are strictly prohibited from brandishing or displaying their weapon or using their weapon to threaten or intimidate anyone. 

Any unauthorized use or brandishing of a handgun is immediate grounds for revocation of approval to carry a concealed handgun on the property and removal from the premises, and in the case of an employee, discipline. 

Those who are granted an exception to carry a concealed handgun are not to disclose that fact to anyone in the office except partners who request such information, and members of management who need to know.

An approved license holder is required to immediately notify the Firm if the status of his or her license changes. 

VIOLATIONS

Failure to abide by all terms and conditions of the policy may result in discipline for employees up to and including termination. Further, carrying a weapon onto Firm property in violation of this policy will be considered an act of criminal trespass and will be grounds for immediate removal from the Firm property, and may result in prosecution. 

THIS POLICY SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE ANY DUTY OR OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF BRICKER & ECKLER TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS BEYOND THOSE REQUIRED OF AN EMPLOYER BY EXISTING LAW. 

If you become aware of anyone violating this policy, please report it to the Chief Human Resource Officer, Director of Facilities and Services or security immediately. 

POSTING

The following must be posted at all entrances to notify visitors that weapons are not allowed: 

NO PERSON, INCLUDING A PERSON LICENSED TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN, SHALL KNOWINGLY POSSESS, HAVE UNDER THE PERSON’S CONTROL, OR CONVEY A CONCEALED HANDGUN, DEADLY WEAPON OR DANGEROUS ORDINANCE ONTO THESE PREMISES WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.

Contacts for this policy

Chief Operating Officer
Rich King
rking@bricker.com

Director of Facilities and Services
John Holle
jholle@bricker.com