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New Gun Law Sparking Opposition In Florida

By Eddie Farah

On Tuesday, Florida got a new law that some feel makes the workplace safer. Others feel it makes the workplace more dangerous. It's a very emotional issue, gun control, so let's not go into that here.

But some Florida businesses are "just saying NO" to the expanded rights of gun owners.

JEA, the utility of the Jacksonville area, has sent a letter to employees telling them NOT to bring their guns to work.

The "Preservation and Protection of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Motor Vehicles Act of 2008" was signed recently by Gov. Charlie Crist.

It allows employees, who have a valid concealed weapons permit, to bring their gun to work and keep it in their car.

JEA says there are exemptions and they fall into one.

Banks, churches, court- they are all exempted from the law. JEA doesn't say explicitly what the exemption is that they fall under. Many say they will bring guns anyway and not tell.

At Walt Disney World in Orlando, employees will not be allowed to keep guns in their cars at company parking lots.

Disney is not making any friends with backers of the law such as the National Rifle Association and lawmakers. "You've got to be kidding me," according to state Sen. Durell Peaden, one of the authors of the bill and a Republican from the Florida Panhandle, tells the Orlando Sentinel.

But Disney has a long standing policy against guns on the 30,000 acre property despite what the NRA says. And Disney has clout. It employs more people at a single location than any local employer - 60,000. Bringing a gun to work could be grounds for termination.

Also exempted under the law are defense contractors or explosives manufacturers.

A last minute revision to the bill included an exemption for any property leased or owned by an employer who has a permit for explosives. Disney has a permit to use fireworks in its theme parks.

Disney says its theme parks, resorts, cast member parking lots, administrative offices, sports complex, hotels, Celebration and Disney Reservation centers in Orlando and Tampa are all exempt.

However, not exempt are Disney Cruise Line's crew parking lots and some other Disney properties in Florida. And Universal is joining Disney in claiming an exemption.

Not so at Sea World. The company believes in the rights of employees or visitors to transport legal firearms in their car, according to a spokeswoman. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on July 17, 2008 (boomark / email).