Wire service reports yesterday claimed that an internal memo from Acxiom Corp. requested that employees leave their rifles home, as the company’s campus was within a security parameter around the Bill Clinton presidential library. The library, which is roughly half a mile from Acxiom’s headquarters, is set to open on Thursday. President Bush, former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton will be in attendance.
The “no-rifles” policy was part of a “very long” memo detailing security measures within and around the library and Acxiom’s sales and marketing building, according to Acxiom spokesman Dale Ingram. The full text reiterated the firearms ban – a longstanding Acxiom policy – and also noted several other activity restrictions. For instance, during the festivities, Acxiom employees will not be permitted to stand on open-air balconies facing the library.
It also advises employees not to schedule meetings during the week, to be mindful of the increased security presence both on the ground, in the air, and on the Arkansas river, and, if possible, to work either from a nearby Acxiom location outside the security area, or from home, Ingram said.
Why were rifles even considered a potential problem? Although Acxiom forbids their presence on its campus, with the advent of several hunting seasons it was possible that some enthusiasts might inadvertently leave their weapons in their cars.
Ingram allowed that this particular week would be an especially bad time to violate that policy.
Despite the ominous tone of the memo, Acxiom has welcomed the presence of the former president’s library. The company is a corporate donor to the library, and some Acxiom employees are serving as hosts and guides to VIPs, Ingram said.
