Florida lawmakers pass take-your-guns-to-work law

Florida lawmakers pass take-your-guns-to-work law
By Michael Peltier Wed Apr 9, 1:23 PM ET

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Reuters) - Most Florida residents would be allowed to take guns to work under a measure passed by Florida lawmakers on Wednesday.

The bill, allowing workers to keep guns in their cars for self-protection, was approved by the Florida Senate by a vote of 26-13. It now goes to Republican Gov. Charlie Crist to sign into law.

Backed by the National Rifle Association and some labour unions, the so-called "take-your-guns-to-work" measure would prohibit business owners from banning guns kept locked in motor vehicles on their private property.

The measure applies to employees, customers and those invited to the business establishment as long as they have a permit to carry the weapon.

Backers say the measure upholds the vision of the authors of the U.S. Constitution, who made the right to bear arms part of the Bill of Rights.

"The second thing they wrote about in that constitution was the right to bear arms," said Sen. Durell Peaden, a Republican from Crestview, Florida. "It was what was dear in their hearts."

The measure exempts a number of workplaces including nuclear power plants, prisons, schools and companies whose business involves homeland security.

Critics say the measure usurps business owners' rights to determine what happens on their property and puts workers and managers at risk from disgruntled employees.

Dozens of workplace shootings occur every year in the United States and studies have shown that job sites where guns are permitted are more likely to suffer workplace homicides than those where guns are prohibited.

"This is an attempt to trample upon the property rights of property owners and attempt to make it more difficult to protect the workers in a workplace and those who visit our retail establishments," said Sen. Ted Deutch, a Boca Raton Democrat.

Oklahoma, Alaska, Kentucky, and Mississippi have similar laws, although in Oklahoma, an appellate court barred the state from enforcing the legislation on grounds that it was unconstitutional.

Florida business groups are urging the governor to veto the measure, saying owners should be allowed to determine what happens on their property.

"We are disappointed that politics clearly won over good policy," Mark Wilson, president and chief executive of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

Dumbasses

There is this one old dude at my work, I mean OLD, the dude still makes shop drawings by hand, cuz he can't learn how to use a computer. He always carries a little pistol in his back pocket.

That wouldn't really bother me, he was in the Army, he has a license to carry a concealed weapon, but apparently one day he pulled it out to show people. He took the clip out, then thought it'd be funny to point at people. Turns out.... there was still a damn bullet in the chamber. He said "Oh don't worry the safety was on."

I would've flipped out on that motherfucker if I had been there. He's supposed to know that you NEVER EVER POINT A GUN AT SOMEONE, even if you "know" it's empty. Stupid asshole.

gaboman wrote:

"The second thing they wrote about in that constitution was the right to bear arms," said Sen. Durell Peaden, a Republican from Crestview, Florida. "It was what was dear in their hearts."

If the second thing in the constitution had been about having the right to a donkey, I guarantee they wouldn't be upholding it so vigorously. Because something was right in the 1700's doesn't mean it is right now. Slavery was OK in the 1700's and it's not alright now, you have to amend laws as time goes by to reflect that time.

gaboman wrote:

"Dozens of workplace shootings occur every year in the United States and studies have shown that job sites where guns are permitted are more likely to suffer workplace homicides than those where guns are prohibited.

No way ... I would never have guessed that. Aren't you glad they spent all that money on those studies?

Gun's don't kill people, people kill people. Don't give people guns. Unless you're a hunter and you're going hunting, then you don't need a gun.

Dekka00 wrote:

he has a license to carry a concealed weapon

What is the deal with concealed weapons, you see on TV shows people get arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. But I don't get it ... concealed... as opposed to what? Are you supposed to UNconceal your weapon and just walk down the road waving it about in the air???? Or are you just not supposed to carry a gun at all?

Hahahah true that. It's like... you put it in your pocket or purse, that's not cool. So if you were to go outside with your gun, you'd have to keep it in your hand the whole time.

Imagine walking down the street with a gun in hand. "It's okay everyone! I just don't have a license to carry a concealed weapon!"

really I think it's more of a "license to carry a weapon"

you are allowed to own a handgun, you can put it in your trunk if you're the shooting range, but most people are not allowed to carry it on their person unless they get a special license.

Ah

You can get arrested in Australia if you have a kitchen knife in your pocket. I'm not sure what the law on forks is though.

I have said it 100 times civilians should not be allowed to carry or even own guns. gun ownership should be limited to police, armed forces and secret service.

I'm all for it.


This is more about being able to have the gun in the car or truck while at work. Guy got fired here in Tulsa cause he had a gun in the car at work (he was going hunting right after work).

Concealed means you have to hide it while you are walking around, you can't wear it on your hip like an old west gunslinger.

I have to keep my gun at home with me unless I get a concealed licence. I can take it in the car to gun ranges and stuff, but it's got to be in the trunk.

I'm not allowed to walk around with it unless I get a licence.

Lots of folks in Oklahoma get the licence.

There are still places around the country where it is legal to carry a firearm , but it cant be concealed. I was in Tuscon AZ years ago and watched this dusty old cowboy walk into a bank with a 45 on his side. The bank guard says ''morning Herb''.

Whidden wrote:

I have to keep my gun at home with me unless I get a concealed licence. I can take it in the car to gun ranges and stuff, but it's got to be in the trunk.

I'm not allowed to walk around with it unless I get a licence.

Lots of folks in Oklahoma get the licence.

How do you get it from the trunk into the shooting range? I imagine you have to walk from the car with it yes? Could you be arrested walking from your car?
And what if you don't have a car and want to go to the shooting range? Can you take it on the bus?

I think you could take a gun on a bus if you had it in a bag, and it was unloaded. But I'm not sure.

Gun laws vary a little from state to state.

Can you get a license for a grenade launcher or something massive like that?
That would be cool.

We have pretty tough gun laws over here, but when we went overseas, my b/f brought a katana sword and I thought we'd have heaps of grief getting it through customs, but they were more concerned about the fact that the handle and sheath were made of wood and might have bugs in it, than the fact that we had a massive, and sharp, sword.

Stupid laws.

I know in AZ you can carry a gun on your hip. In Cali it's super strict.

I don't want a gun. I know I'd get faded and wave it around to the neighbor when they get on the nerves.

-HECK!

Schmiggens wrote:

Can you get a license for a grenade launcher or something massive like that?
That would be cool.

We can't own anything military, like armed tanks, or machine guns. Or gernade launchers. Or flamer throwers. (without super special permits)

There are some automatic weapons that are not banned any longer, and some former military seem to be able to keep their old weapons, but most military type stuff if banned.

I don't understand why a civilian would need an automatic weapon, second ammendment or not.

All fully automatic firearms are banned as per federal law. You need a class 4 license to own one and you must prove you ''need'' one to get one (very tough). There may be some very old arms that are exempted under the ''antique'' law.

All firearms over .50 caliber are banned , as are shotguns with less than 18'' barrels (measured from the breech). It is legal however, to own a revolver that fires .410 shotgun shells and uses an 8'' barrel. I dont know why