Lawmakers Pushed To Adopt Convenience Store Safety Law

Photo: Alyssa Grimes

The brother-in-law of a convenience store worker shot by a 15-year old earlier this year wants more mandatory protections for such employees.

The family of a clerk shot in the head at an Indianapolis convenience store last month wants a law passed to make sure it does not happen again. Marcy Birnell, 45, continues to fight for life at St. Vincent Hospital after being shot by a 15-year old at a Village Pantry on the city’s northwest side.

Birnell’s brother-in-law, Perry Tole, wants the Indiana General Assembly to make changes at all convenience stores and gas stations in the state — legislation he is calling “Marcy’s Law.” Tole wants a bulletproof “safe zone” for employees as well as a requirement for two employees during night and overnight shifts.

“I am also proposing that behind them is a self locking door, which is layer number two,” Tole says. “They retreat to that room, they are in another bulletproof environment getting on the phone getting whatever needs to be done.”

Tole says he is in the beginning stages of getting legislative support for “Marcy‘s Law.” Facebook pages have been set up to follow Birnell‘s recovery and gather support for the law named after her.