Workplace Survival - A "Not-So-Hypothetical" Scenario

[Blackdog]

In light of the tragic events that seem to occur with more and more frequency these days, I'd like to know how you folks would handle the scenario described below.

You work within the confines of a building (office, factory, wharehouse etc.) with minimal, or no security measures in place. One of your fellow employees has, over the past several months, exhibited behavior that has become increasingly bizarre. He/she has claimed to hear "voices". They are prone to sudden outbursts of ranting about killing their ex-spouse for taking custody of their child. He/she is about to lose their job for frequent tardiness and unexcused absences. This person exhibits all the signs of escalating drug abuse and is becoming increasingly paranoid and incoherent. You know this person has easy access to firearms and know in your gut that losing their job will push them over the edge. You feel the chances of this person going on a killing spree are better than average.

You've relayed these fears to your supervisors, as have several other employees. The management of the firm refuses to consider or recognize the prospective threat posed by this employee. They smile and nod and treat you like a child who is afraid of the dark. They tell you that he/she can't come onto the premises with a weapon, company policy forbids it.

OK, your move. What do you do legally, physically, tactically or strategically to prepare for or prevent a possible deadly situation?

Blackdog

[This message has been edited by Blackdog (edited 22 November 1999).]

 

[Steven F]

Well, Blackdog, you can bet that each day I would come to work with my little snub-nosed, five-shot S&W tucked away in my ankle holster. Additionally, I would keep a very close eye on the individual, anticipating the need to take him out.

Many of the nationally-publicized, gun-related tragedies we've seen could have been avoided by an armed citizen willing to take action.

This is what really makes me angry about the media -- they sensationalize the gun-related tragedies in a way that implies that if no one had guns, the tragedy would never have occured; when, in reality, firearms lawfully employed are the best defense against the criminal misuse of firearms. Our forefathers knew this, hence the Second Amendment. 'Tis a pity so many of our elected officials today lack the wisdom, or courage, to do anything more than penalize the law-abiding citizen whenever some nut uses a gun to commit a crime -- it's almost as if these elected idiots really think that passing a law is going to thwart criminals. The U.S. has had anti-drug laws on the books for years and has been engaged in an all-out war on drugs for decades, yet drugs are more in abundance than ever, clearly proving, in my mind, that passing restrictive laws is not a panacea for any social problem.

 

[Marcus]

You may get a bigger response to this thread on the Practical Tactical Forum but I`ll throw my $.02 in. I worked at a place years ago wit ha similarly volatile character. I didn`t trust him any farther than I could throw him. I spoke to my supervisor and he assured me it was nothing to worry about <sigh>. I was too young to have a carry permit at the time so I just carried my usual assortment of knives which I passed off as necessary for cutting open boxes etc. More importantly I covertly kept a real close eye on the guy (looking for signs that he`d snap). He never did snap at work but after he was fired he was arrested days later for physically taking his frustrations out on a young lady he`d met at a bar. She was hospitalized for some time afterwards although I don`t remember any details. I couldn`t help but think that he could have easily exploded at work rather than at a stranger. Do what you have to do to protect yourself and others even if they`re too ignorant to appreciate it. Just don`t get yourself in trouble doing it. Marcus

 

[Craig Gottlieb]

Blackdog: I'd do what Steven did - carry my carry pistol - a Baretta Model 21, and I'd make sure that if I was in a "front" office, that I'd move to a back office away from the first line of defense.

You know, in reference to those anti-gun laws, I share Steven's sentiments (as do we all, I'm pretty sure). There is a reason that Republicans are called "conservatives" - because they support policies that will CONSERVE (or preserve) our nation, but that are not necessarily popular at the moment. Things like gun-control are popular for the moment, but are not very conservative in nature - a couple hundred years down the road, our nation, void of private gun ownership, WILL be a freedomless place.

What about knife-control. Do you think people will start suing the knife industry for all those knife-related deaths? I know this is off Blackdog's topic, but I had to ask.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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