Take Your Gun to Work Day in House Council
Posted by Aaron Deslatte on Mar 12, 2008 4:47:41 PM
Over fierce opposition from Florida's business leaders, a House council voted Wednesday to allow employees to carry concealed weapons to work -- provided they kept them in their vehicles.
The move was a major victory for the National Rifle Association, which has pushed unsuccessfully even stronger guns-at-work legislation the past two years. But in this election year, supporters may be satisfied with the latest measure (CS/HB 503).
"This is closer to where we want to be, but not where we want to be," said Marion Hammer, NRA lobbyist. "This is an important people issue...the constitution begins `we the people,' not `we the Chamber of Commerce' or `we the Disney' or `we the Publix.' It's about everyday people and their lives."
The organizations cited by Hammer were among those opposing the legislation, which they cast as a blow against their right control their private property and set rules for employees, which include banning the presence of firearms.
"They threw them a bone," Randy Miller, a vice-president of the Florida Retail Federation, said of lawmakers on the House Environment and Natural Resources Council, which approved the legislation on an 11-6 vote, with all Democrats except newly elected Rep. Tony Sasso of Cocoa Beach opposed, and most Republicans in favor. Two GOP lawmakers, Reps. Baxter Troutman and Trudi WIlliams, voted against it.
Orange County Republican Reps. Bryan Nelson and Steve Precourt also voted for it.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_poli...your-gun-t.html
