Pharmacist loses appeal over firing gun

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a drug store chain in a dispute with a pharmacist who was fired after firing his gun at a store.

Jeremy Hoven had a permit to carry a weapon, and he fired at thieves at a store in Benton Harbor.

But Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens fired him in 2011, saying his gun use violated company policy.

In a 3-0 decision Monday, an appeals court says there are no protections for Hoven, even if it's legal under Michigan law to possess the gun.

The court notes that he was an at-will employee who could be dismissed.

The court pointed to a 2012 case where it affirmed the right of Walmart to fire a Michigan employee who used medical marijuana.