Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy Sues VW After He Was Fired for Having His Service Weapon in His Car

Luis Rivera worked for Volkswagen at the company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant for 14 years. He was a production team leader there. Rivera is also a reserve deputy in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Last June Rivera stopped at the VW plant after some training to pick something up and had his service gun in his car. That, VW says, violated the company’s no-weapons-in-the-workplace policy and the German auto maker fired him.

However…Tennessee is one of the most gun-friendly states in US of A. Volunteer State law — Section 39-17-1313 — permits lawful gun owners to store firearms in their vehicles as long as the firearm is kept out of sight. Rivera has now sued Volkswagen for violating Tennessee law and he’s seeking at least half a million dollars.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press . . .

The weapon was unloaded and secured in a double-locked holster, “consistent with safety protocols and Tennessee law,” the lawsuit said.

When he arrived at Gate 1 at about 11:40 a.m. that day, a security guard told Rivera that his vehicle would be searched, according to the complaint. Rivera “immediately and voluntarily disclosed” that his duty gear, including his firearm, was in the automobile.

At no time was the firearm displayed until security personnel instructed Rivera to move it to the passenger seat for a photograph. He was immediately suspended pending an investigation and ultimately fired June 25 for having a firearm at the facility, the lawsuit said.

Rivera contends that he had fully complied with Tennessee law, but VW says the law allows the company to ban guns — even in personal vehicles — within its secured perimeter.

According to the lawsuit, Rivera lost about $39,570 in base pay plus overtime and quarterly bonuses. He also incurred more than $4,000 in out-of-pocket medical insurance costs and significant expenses due to lost company coverage. Additionally, he and his family were forced to return four leased vehicles — a Volkswagen GTI, Taos, Atlas and Jetta — and incurred about $25,000 in replacement vehicle costs, repairs and increased insurance premiums.

Rivera is seeking the option of immediate reinstatement to his former position with full seniority and benefits, according to the lawsuit. He’s also asking for economic damages for lost wages, bonuses and benefits.

The company, of course, isn’t commenting on the pending litigation. We’re not lawyers and we’ve never played one on TV, so we won’t presume to predict the outcome of this legal drama. That said, don’t be surprised if this is eventually settled with an undisclosed amount being paid to Deputy Rivera.