Constitutional Law

Lawyer pays bonus to employees who carry guns

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A lawyer in Davenport, Iowa, is encouraging employees to exercise their Second Amendment rights by paying a $50 monthly bonus to those who carry a gun.

Lawyer Eric Puryear of Puryear Law, who is a certified National Rifle Association instructor, says he began offering the bonus about four years ago, report WQAD and KWQC.

“I think it’s an important constitutional right,” Puryear tells WQAD. “It’s right up there with voting and free speech. I feel strongly about those, too. I don’t think anybody disagrees with voting rights or free speech rights, and so I guess gun rights is an area where there’s just more to be said.”

Currently paralegal Elizabeth Payne is the only employee at Puryear’s office who carries a gun. A few others have applied for permits. Puryear has accompanied employees to the shooting range to help teach them gun safety.

“It’s not a matter of just carrying a gun,” he told WQAD.” It’s a matter of carrying a gun safely and lawfully, and we emphasize that here.”

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