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.

9. Los Angeles, Feb. 25, 2005. City worker opens fire after being reprimanded -- one dead, gunman kills himself.

10. Pascagoula, Miss., Northup Grumman, Feb. 21, 2005. Angry employee opens fire on co-workers -- two wounded.

11. Romolus, Mich., Feb. 18, 2005. Employee goes on shooting rampage after being fired -- one dead, one wounded.

12. Rockland, Maine, Jan. 28, 2005. Shooter is upset after romantic relationship with co-worker ends -- one dead.

13. Toledo, Ohio, Chrysler, Jan. 10, 2005. Shooter was recently called in to talk to management for poor performance -- two dead, one wounded.

14. Visalia, Calif., April 14, 2004. Shooting followed an argument at work -- one wounded, gunman kills himself.

15. Kansas City, Kansas, Con Agra, July 2, 2004. Shooter is a 21-year-old disgruntled worker -- five killed, two wounded, gunman kills himself.

16. Pleasant Grove, Utah -- Feb. 2, 2004. One dead, gunman kills himself. Shooter was suspended from his job and kills supervisor.

17. West Chester, Ohio, Watkins Motor Lines, Nov. 6, 2003. Shooter is former employee -- two dead, three wounded.

18. Chicago, Aug. 27, 2003. Six dead -- shooter is a fired employee of company.

19. Meridian, Miss., Lockheed Martin, July 9, 2003. Factory worker goes on rampage -- five killed, nine wounded, shooter kills himself.

20. Jefferson City, Mo., July 1, 2003. Factory worker goes on shooting rampage -- three dead, five wounded, shooter is killed in gun battle with police.

21. New York, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2002. Insurance executive calls two employees into his office and shoots both -- two dead, shooter kills himself.

22. Melrose Park, Ill., Navistar International, Feb. 5, 2001. Factory worker goes on rampage at workplace -- four dead, shooter kills himself.

23. Wakefield, Mass., Edgewater Technology, Dec. 26, 2000. Employee opens fire at workplace -- seven dead.

Isn't it time that we did what's required to stop the carnage at work?

Quote of the Week

"Things do not change, we change." -- Henry David Thoreau

Book Excerpt of the Week

From: "Jane's Workplace Security Handbook" published by AIG

"It is difficult to overstate the importance of implementing proactive facility security measures to combat threats to the workplace. Terrorists, extremist groups, disgruntled loners or criminals will usually target locations that offer the path of least resistance. This path of least resistance may not be immediately obvious to those who work in a facility. Despite this, prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, conducting a comprehensive threat assessment in places of business was the exception, not the rule."

Bob Rosner is a best-selling author, an internationally syndicated columnist, popular speaker, and a recent addition to the community of bloggers. He welcomes your comments at bob@workingwounded.com.

This work is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News.