New Augusta, Miss. –-(Ammoland.com)- Georgia Pacific affiliate company Leaf River Cellulose, LLC has been sued in federal court for terminating an employee in violation of Mississippi law.
Passed in 2006, Mississippi code section 45-9-55 prohibits any private employer from establishing a policy which prevents an employee from storing a firearm in his private vehicle unless access to the parking area is restricted through the use of a gate, security station or other means of restricting or limiting general public access onto the property.
Similar laws are in effect in approximately twenty-four states across the nation.
Mr. Parker was terminated on December 13, 2013, for having a firearm in his locked, private vehicle parked in an open employee lot without a gate, security station or other means of restricting public access onto the property. Shortly before Mr. Parker’s termination Leaf River Cellulose undertook an extensive project which added fencing and other security measures around the plant but did not add any fencing, gates, or other physical barriers to the employee parking areas.
While at Leaf River Cellulose Mr. Parker was employed as a safety technician on the emergency response team.
Mr. Parker holds numerous certifications for specialized rescue methods and emergency medical treatment. Additionally Mr. Parker is a state certified firefighter, has served as reserve police officer, and holds an enhanced concealed carry license issued by the State of Mississippi after his successful completion of a background check and training course.
The amount of damages will be set by a jury. Pre-suit settlement negotiations were unable to reach a resolution. The case name is Joseph Edward Parker v. Leaf River Cellulose, LLC. The suit is filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District and bears cause number 2:14CV9-KS- MTP. For more information contact:
Reed Martz PO Box 2249 Oxford, MS 38655 (662) 234-1711 x 11 (662) 234-1739 fax reed@freelandmartz.com