Working Wounded Blog: Your Right to Be Shot at Work

April 25, 2007 — -- Ever wonder how many workplace shootings have taken place between the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and the recent shooting at Virginia Tech? The answer: 41 (statistics courtesy of bradyorganization.org).

Forty-one shootings. By my count, those 41 shootings add up to 80 dead and at least 60 wounded. And just one day after the shooting at Virginia Tech, the National Rifle Association pitched a bill in the Florida legislature that would allow people to bring guns into the workplace. You just can't make this stuff up.

If you are a die-hard supporter of the Second Amendment, all I ask is for you to look at the list below that highlights some of the 41 shootings. Does it make you feel safer about going to work? Do you really believe that more firepower is going to reduce gun violence at work?

Something must be done. We need fewer guns at work or more Kevlar vests, because gunshot wounds should not be a part of anyone's 9-5 routine.

Here's a look at a few of those deadly shootings:

These statistics were compiled from reports from The Associated Press and bradyorganization.com.

1. Houston, Service Wire, Feb. 14, 2007. Person shot is the husband of a co-worker -- one dead.

2. Indianapolis, Crossroads Industrial Services, Jan. 11, 2007. Four wounded -- victims are all disabled workers shot because of a lack of respect for shooter who was bipolar.

3. Nickel Mines, Pa., Oct. 20, 2006. Shooter barricades himself and students in small schoolhouse -- five dead, shooter kills himself.

4. Goleta, Calif. -- U.S. Postal Service, Jan. 29, 2006. Shooter was a postal worker on disability leave for mental health issues -- six killed, female shooter kills herself.

5. Glen Burnie, Md., H&M Wagner, Nov. 23, 2005. Former employee opens fire in workplace -- two wounded, gunman kills himself.

6. New Windsor, N.Y., Sept. 27, 2005. Shooter was former employee arrested for child pornography -- two wounded, gunman kills himself.

7. Oak Lawn, Ill., Sept. 16, 2005. Shooter was employee involved in a workplace dispute -- two dead.

8. Red Lake, Minn., March 21, 2005. Student opens fire at his school -- seven dead.