The worst that happens if you get caught with the gun is you get fired. What's the worst that can happen if you really need that gun and don't have it?
Seems like the wise choice to me.
What is the relative risk of each? That depends a lot on the work environment doesn't it?
Methinks the pizza delivery driver has a pretty low risk of having his gun discovered (before he needs it) and a fairly high risk of needing it compared to the life guard at the neighborhood swimming pool.
Furthermore, what is your ability to get a new job with comparable income/benefits if you get fired "for cause" (violating company policy) from the current job?
Assuming no violation of law, I won't fault anyone who chooses to discretely carry in violation of some company policy. But assuming the absence of some unusual risk, neither will I fault anyone who chooses to abide company policy while taking other measures for self defense while on the job.
Many employers who have "no guns/weapons" policies don't seem to care much about Mace/Pepper Spray-- after all such sprays are rather popular among the fairer gender and the gun haters. I've never seen anyone get upset about a letter opener, even if it were substantial enough to make a decent edged weapon. A baseball bat doesn't look much like a weapon if a glove is kept next to it. And some fairly decent knives can be carried as "utility items" in most businesses that ban weapons. None are my ideal replacement for a gun. But depending on the employer, some of them can mitigate the risk of being "defenseless" without increasing the risk of being jobless.
Charles
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