Employers Argue Against Gun Law

DENVER (From www.tulsaworld.com) ~ A group of Oklahoma employers are making a novel argument in opposing a state law requiring employers to allow workers to have guns in locked vehicles where they work.

ConocoPhillips Co. and other smaller employers in a court case contend the law constitutes "an unconstitutional taking of (their) property" and their right to exclude people from their property. That argument is in a new filing by the employers at the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. They want the court to uphold a decision of U.S. District Judge Terence Kern in Tulsa who struck down the law.

The case recently heated up at the Denver-based court when national organizations on both sides of the law submitted their stances to the judges who will decide whether Kern was correct.

The appellate judges recently allowed the National Rifle Association to file "friend of the court" arguments in support of the law.

A gun-control advocacy group and two safety and security organizations announced Thursday they have jointly submitted ''friend of the court'' arguments in opposition to the law.

A month ago, Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson told the judges they should overturn Kern's Oct. 4 decision. The officials contend the law promotes public safety.

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