Utah High Court Upholds Right of Self Defense for Employees

by
posted on October 1, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
si-news-2015-5-28-15.jpg (23)

The Utah Supreme Court has sided with a group of Wal-Mart employees who were fired after altercations with suspected shoplifters who were armed, ruling that the workers had the right to engage in self-defense. 

The 4-1 ruling issued Sept. 18 sends the wrongful termination lawsuit back to federal court, where five former Wal-Mart employees filed suit against the retailer. The employees—Derek Holt, Eric Hunter, Shawn Ray, Lori Poulsen and Gabriel Stewart—were fired in 2011 after the management for the mega-retailer contended they should not have used force against the suspected shoplifters. 

In the case, Ray v. Wal-Mart Store, Inc., the court held that an employee’s right of self-defense overrules an employer’s right to fire an employee, including an employee who could be terminated without specific cause (an “at-will” employee.) 

The case involved two incidents in which Wal-Mart employees were fired after using forcein self-defenseagainst armed shoplifters. In the first case, three employees at the Layton, Utah, store confronted a customer who hid a laptop computer in his pants. After employees escorted him to the store’s security office, the shoplifter drew a gun and grabbed one of the employees, pressing the gun to his back. The other employees grabbed the man, seized his gun, and held him for the police. 

In the second event, two employees at a West Valley City, Utah, store grabbed a shoplifter after she tried to escape. She pulled a pocketknife and threatened to stab the employees unless they released her. The employees maintained physical control of the woman while a customer helped take the knife from her. 

Wal-Mart fired the employees for violating company policy that “employees disengage, withdraw, and contact police if a shoplifter has a weapon, threatens to use a weapon, or becomes violent.” The fired employees claimed their termination violated their fundamental rights.   

The court limited its ruling to situations in which an employee reasonably believes that force is necessary to defend against an imminent threat of serious bodily harm and there is no opportunity to withdraw. Utah passed so-called “stand your ground” legislation 1994. 

The court found the firings violated the exercise of a “legal right or privilege” and that the right to self-defense was so substantial and fundamental that there was “virtually no question as to [its] importance to the public good.”

Latest

.30-30 Winchester Smith & Wesson lever action
.30-30 Winchester Smith & Wesson lever action

First Look: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Rifle In .30-30 Winchester

The 1854 Series is now available in a treasured lever-action cartridge.

First Look: Reptilia AR-15 Handguard

M-Lok-compatible and available in four different lengths.

FN Awarded the 2025 Ambrose Award

The Ambrose Award is awarded to a company that has made outstanding contributions to the field of small arms systems.

What Is Concealed Carry?

Is it a lifestyle, or a martial art?

First Look: Charter Arms Pathfinder II .22LR Revolver

An easy to carry, lightweight eight-shot rimfire revolver.

First Look: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo

Created in collaboration with Strike Industries.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.