TALLAHASSEE, Florida - 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 labor 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."
Well, I had a few comments, but really, I'm rendered speechless.
I think I'll go run a few errands now while the likelihood of a shootout in the parking lot of the Ok Grocery Store is still somewhat unlikely.
Somewhere, Charlton Heston is smiling.
5 comments:
My guess is that this won't survive the inevitable property-rights challenge from business owners. But I bet Carl Hiaasen's eyes just lit up. "My next bestseller!"
Ah...tee hee. No, not really, but yeah good on Hiaasen.
The business owners are pissed. My place of employment is one of the few exceptions. While I was running my shootout-free errands, I listened to a news story on this. In its wisdom, the legislature did NOT exempt day cares or automatic weapons.
And Governor Crist, in his bid for Number One Observatory Circle, is ecstatic and plans to sign. His comment on the radio -- and I can't find a transcript yet -- was very much along the lines of "what the framers of the constitution intended, blah blah."
My guess is that this won't survive the inevitable property-rights challenge from business owners.
Do not overestimate the Florida judiciary, Phil. Do not overestimate it.
A lot of people already have weapons in their cars. This just seems to get them around the part where you have to keep the ammo in a separate locked compartment of the car. Businesses can and do still exclude weapons from buildings.
I meant not to say that my place of employment is one of the few exceptions in that it is not pissed, but that it is an exception in that guns still will not be allowed in our parking lots.
Businesses can and do still exclude weapons from buildings.
And will, for the most part. So I'm having trouble seeing what good this will do in terms of "protection." In other words, if you can't bring the gun into the office, it does you no good when the "gone postal" worker shows up with his arsenal. (Excuse me, sir, while I step out to my car...?) It only does you good when you're on the road and does allow you to transport it from home to wherever else you might travel, but again, your options for removing it from the car "for protection" are limited.
Durell Peaden is an ass AND an idiot.
That is a truth that is dear to my heart.
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