You can take guns to work in Florida but not into the office

[Skunk]

You can take guns to work in Florida but not into the office

By Mark Schlueb, Orlando Sentinel

10:09 a.m. EST, November 2, 2009

It was a three-year fight, and gun-rights advocates won. The law even survived a legal challenge in federal court.

So, are you allowed to bring your gun to work?

Yes — sort of.

"Florida's Preservation and Protection of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Motor Vehicles Act of 2008" isn't completely cut-and-dried. So don't put your pistol in your lunchpail until you know the rules.

Permit, please

First, not just anyone can bring a gun to work.

Only those with a concealed-weapon permit from the state of Florida are protected by the law. The NRA had pushed for this change for years, arguing that many law-abiding gun owners were left unprotected on their way to and from work because their employers prohibited firearms on their property.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation fought hard against the bill. They argued it would trample business' private property rights by taking away their ability to set policies for their employees.

But a federal judge upheld the law, which applies to full- and part-time employees, independent contractors, volunteers, interns and other similar positions. Employers aren't allowed to search workers' vehicles looking for guns — or even ask employees if they have one.

Don't strap it to your hip

What was labeled the "guns-at-work" law really should be called the "guns-in-the-parking-lot" law, gun-rights advocates say.

"It conjured up images of people having guns in their office or in their plant. It was deliberately misleading," NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer said.

The law doesn't allow gun-owners to carry semi-automatics weapons into offices or supermarkets where they work. Rather, it only allows them to leave it locked up in their car outside. In effect, it prevents most employers from telling their workers to leave their weapons at home.

Some businesses exempt

There are exceptions. The law doesn't apply to schools, prisons, nuclear power plants, defense plants or businesses that have combustible or explosive materials.

The exemptions built into the law became controversial after the law was passed. Some employers, including Disney and Universal Studios, twisted themselves into odd shapes to get an exemption.

Disney claims an exemption because it has a permit for explosives — namely, fireworks used in its extensive pyrotechnic displays. Universal Orlando houses a work-study program staffed by Orange County Public Schools, so it also prohibits firearms on its property.

A Disney security guard defied the ban and sued after he was fired. Eventually, the case was dismissed.

Customers' guns OK

State law also allows people to carry a gun in their vehicle even without a concealed-weapon permit, as long as it is secured and "not readily accessible for immediate use." So, businesses can't kick you out for having a firearm on their property, as long as it's locked up and not being brandished.

Mark Schlueb can be reached at mschlueb@orlandosentinel.com and 407-420-5417.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/law/os-law-and-you-110209-20091102,0,2627019.story