Iredell County workers may be able to carry concealed guns on job

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Iredell County commissioners are considering allowing employees with concealed carry licenses to be armed on the job.

Leaders and residents weighed in on the controversial topic Tuesday night at a county commission meeting.

Commissioners want employees to be able to defend themselves in the event of a workplace shooting.

Iredell County leaders started talking about whether county employees should be allowed to carry weapons after the 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.

Fourteen people were killed and 22 were injured when a county health inspector opened fire during an employee party.

Some people didn't hold back on their first chance to voice their opinions to commissioners.

"That's opening the Pandora box. We're not living in the wild, Wild West," one resident said.

Robin Williams, a retired county employee, recommended alternatives such as having metal detectors at county buildings and hiring security guards.

"The burden should be on the county commissioners. The burden should not be on employees to protect themselves," Williams said.

The head of the Iredell County Solid Waste Department, David Lambert, told commissioners he sees both sides of the debate but would have concerns with an employee who has been disciplined or fired.

"I always worry about the folks that a gun makes them feel a little bit more braver," Lambert said.

Commmissioners reiterated that safety is their top priority.

"God forbid there was some mass shooting in one of our offices, that one of the gentlemen in the press is going to be there with a microphone in front of us and say, 'Well, what could you have done to prevent that?'" said Iredell County Commission Chair James Mallory.

Commissioners did not vote on the proposal. They will survey county employees and vote within the next few months.

Right now, licensed gun owners are allowed to carry concealed weapons into many county facilities even though employees can't.

If the law changes, employees at any county office, including the health department, human resources office and even the animal shelter would be able to bring concealed guns to work.

The two exceptions are county offices that include state employees and places such as courthouses where only law enforcement can carry guns.

That's not the only possible change. Part of the plan includes upgrading facilities.

Right now, anyone can walk through a half dozen doors in many business buildings.

County leaders want to build a new secure entrance here at the front and lock all the other doors.

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