'Guns' passes Senate, Crist likely to sign

The guns-to-work legislation just passed the Senate 26-13. One Democrat, Sen. Mandy Dawson, voted with Republicans.

"They did the right thing. The people of this state deserve to have their rights protected, and that what was done today," said NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer, who watched the vote with former Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala. Gun rights advocates pushed the bill for three sessions.

The legislation (HB 503) prohibits businesses from barring employees who have concealed weapons permits from brining their guns to work and leaving them locked in a car. The measure has already passed the House, and now heads to Gov. Charlie Crist.

Crist indicated yesterday he is inclined to sign the bill. "I haven't made a final decision, but the Second Amendment is pretty important. It's the secone one," he told the Times. He said he was not moved by the claims of opponents that the bill tramples over private property rights. "Some are trying to make that juxtaposition," he said.

David Daniel, chief lobbyist for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said business will urge Crist to veto the bill. But, acknowledging the odds, he also said a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a law is "inevitable." Last year, a federal judge overturned a similar law in Oklahoma.

"Even in its watered down form, this bill still steals private property rights away from Floridians," Daniel said. "What gets lost in this debate is we used to stand with the NRA and fight big government telling us what we we're to do. It's odd."

Comments

I am shocked that he even knows how to use a word like "juxtaposition".
Go back to your photo ops, chuck, that is all you are good for.

Who ever is writing the book on Cristism - please make this the second one - Crist indicated yesterday that he is inclined to sign the bill. "I haven't made a final decision, but the Second Amendment is pretty important. It's the secone one,"

"I haven't made a final decision, but the Second Amendment is pretty important. It's the secone one."

Uh, thanks Cristi for telling us that the Second Amendment is the 2nd one. I didn't know that.

Now, get back to planning your summer wedding with Ms. Rome.

[Hattori Hanzo]

Monday is a pretty important day of the week.

[H.L.Menchen]

Hey, what do you expect from a Republican?

[Chris Boscarino]

He was stating an obvious to make a point; he is for this bill. Saying that the amendment is the second one is like saying "I don't want to kill a man, he might die" giving you the speaking party's intentions with a silent, unspoken "Duhhh" at the end. :) This might be over the heads of simple minded sheep that the most of you are. :x

[THE PEOPLE!]

STOP DIVERTING ATTENTION AWAY FROM YOUR LIES AND FAILURES, AND FIX PROPERTY INSURANCE LIKE YOU PROMISED.

[patrick]

Fix propert taxes too. Oh yeah thats right you did with Amendment 1. What a joke!

[4th and 5th Amendments]

we want to renegotiate our contracts...

This anti-business bill would have never passed on Frank Ryll's watch.

[Tony]

Score one for the libertarians, those of you who think this is anti-business do not have a clue. If I were to become a violent crime victim on your business property because I could not defend myself due to your exception to having my weapon in my car, guesss who I would sue into bankruptcy? If you take away my ability to defend myself, you had better provide for my security.

[jack]

Does the law contain a provision if I am harmed by a third person by your gun because you left it in your car unlocked that I can then sue the heck out of you for negligence? Sounds fair to me. Welcome to FloriDUH!

I cannot believe that we have a Governor who makes comments on policy like this. That is absolutely ridiculous. "It is the Second One" ?!?!

Charlie is scared of Marion Hammer, so he'll pass it.

[JJ]

This will be a great law if it results in more people getting the firearm training required to get their concealed weapons permit.

[Tony]

Sure Jack, if someone is dumb enough to leave their gun in their unlocked car, I think they should share some of the responsibility for any negative consequences.

Now all you have to do is petition the government to get such a law on the books. Personally I'm not worried, since I can protect myself from the idiot with the gun stolen from the unlocked car. (like that happens in significant numbers)

Anymore silly "what if" scenarios Jack?

[Annie Oakley]

Since when is firearm training required to get a CCW? I purchased mine over breakfast.

[Dr_Dug]

This will certainly put MORE guns on the street. If people know you have a gun in your car...you better lock it good! And try NOT to use it on the way home during traffic!!
This is a tricky area...because guns don't belong everywhere just because your allowed to carry them!

[Steve]

Why is it when it comes to cigarette smoking, we understand that it's an individual right to choose to do harm to oneself but it does not to give you the right to harm others -- so we have "clean indoor air" laws. So yes, you may, arguably have a right to carry a concealed weapon, but what about my right to be safe FROM guns at work and anywhere else? Canada has more guns per capita than the US but has fewer gun incidents and fatalities. It's the society of the fear-mongering gun rights activists that beat the drum of paranoia and act in the name of law-abiding citizens. I'm a law-abiding citizen so please quit speaking in the name of my protection. You have no right to do so. Children are shot dead with guns, legally and illegally owned and the gun rights activist sit there and say, "those weren't law abiding citizens" or "we need more firearms education." And not one child is resurrected from the dead once the legality of the gun ownership is established. I say let's teach firearms education in every public school in Florida but teach it as "abstinence only". Works for me!

Sound like some sore loser liberals on the blog this AM!!

[Tony]

So Steve, how many people were killed by a person using a gun versus a person using a car last year? Why not ban cars?

People are stabbed to death, why no law against keeping a knife in my car on your business property?

Same old tired rhetoric by anti-gunners. A gun is a tool, it is inanimate, it cannot do anything by itself. Guns kill people just like pencils make spelling mistakes, how would you correct those spelling mistakes? By banning pencils?

You do not have a "right" to be "safe" from guns in the workplace, can you show where this is in the Bill of Rights? Besides which, I challenge you to show documentation of one single case where a person was accosted by a gun? I do however have the right to keep and bear arms and this is a right I was born with, it cannot be granted just as the freedom of speech cannot be granted.

[Dr_Dug]

Steve has a point. The right to carry WEAPONS and the right to be safe from guns is a fine line. Basically what that means is does someone have the right to know that guns are present(which could create a situation) or does someone have the right to HIDE thier weapons for personal safety? The big question is....what happens if they use the gun? Standing near a shootout unarmed only creates more victims. Like I said..it's a fine line!

You are so right 11:43 a.m., because we all know how liberal the chambers of commerce are, right?

All I have to say is if anyone brings a gun onto my property against my specific instructions not to bring one that they better be ready to use it. I won't need a weapon to exact my pound of flesh.

He said it was the second one to signify its importance.

[Dale]

If the gun manufacturers lobby, better known as the NRA, has their way, every person in Florida will be carrying a weapon at all times, just like the old west of the movies.
Except that we have better weapons today.
Whats next, will the Florida legislature cave in to the horse and hat lobby and decree that we all ride horses and wear Stetsons?
We need better lawmakers in Tallahassee.
I'll bet if this were on a ballot most Floridians would vote against it.

The saddest part about all of this is that - passing or not - will it really make one bit of difference either way, otherr than the time and money wasted on even having the fight in the first place?

[Dr_Dug]

Tony..your an idiot. You stated... "You do not have a "right" to be "safe" from guns in the workplace,can you show where this is in the Bill of Rights?."
Easy answer.....IT IS IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS. It starts with...LIFE,LIBERTY..and the pursuit of happiness.
According to you Tony...we could all carry Guns, Bombs and Anthrax..because they don't kill...people do. What an IDIOT.

[JJ]

Annie Oakley, I can tell you don't have a CCW permit in FL, because if you did, you'd know that FL law requires training, fingerprinting, photographing, and a background check.

[jack]

Tony: It's significant if it happens to YOU but not to others I assume?

[Shre shot]

What in the world has this State come too? I have a question. Does this mean that teachers can bring their guns to school? I hope it does because they can shoot all the sex offenders while on campus and save the State some money on the prosecution of these creeps. At least this will lower the number of unionized teachers in the State. Stand back while I whip this out. Does anyone know where to buy 40 calibre hollow points because I have to speak with my boss when this great piece of legislation passes?

[Dr_Dug]

JJ..how does training, fingerprinting, photographing, and a background checks stop the mis-use of guns? If you did some homework, you wouldn't make such stupid comments.

[jack]

Oh, I forgot to add: "Welcome to FloriDUH" ranked currently in the bottom 5 of states in regard to quality of life issues. The state is a sad joke. What y'all need to do is get rid of those "cut taxes and spend" Republicans!

[Dr_Dug]

Shre shot... you have a point! Could you imagine telling your Boss.."I carry a gun to work everyday just in case..."
I'll have to get myself a 50 shot shotgun street-sweeper...and of course I'll get training, fingerprinting, photographing, and a background checks.. then a loaded gun. Yippe-Kie-Yea Motherfu--er.

[JJ]

Dr_Dug, I never said this law would stop the misuse of guns. You can't pass a law against people's stupidity. If you did your homework you'd know that the crime rate of people licensed for concealed carry is 1/100th that of the general population. Nobody is forcing you to get trained, licensed etc. Just go on with your life every day thinking a police officer will be standing next to you when you need one. Best of luck.

[Dr_Dug]

Jack..if its sooooo sad here in Florida,then why don't you just leave? Maybe Florida is so sad because people like you live here and complain without fixing the problem. In fact..I'm sure if I saw who you voted for and YOUR background....you would be part of the problem too!

[Dr_Dug]

JJ..yes you can! You CAN pass a law against people's stupidity. DON"T LET THEM HAVE THE GUNS TO BE STUPID WITH!!! And according to FBI stats...legal guns OFTEN get into the hands of crimminals. How do YOU think they get the guns to commit crimes?

[jack]

I did leave. . .2 yrs. ago and shook the dust off at the Georgia border. Never to return. Now in God's country, North Carolina. I didn't vote for the "cut taxes and spend" REPUBLICAN,i.e, somewhere in Texas there's a village missing an idiot Dubya.

[Appalled]

I don't know where to start with my utter disgust with this bill. First, the second amendment was intended to keep the government from imposing it's will on the common citizen and to create a militia for the purposes of protecting our country. However, the NRA beats this amendment like a drum for the real purpose of selling more guns, gaining a larger membership, and obtaining even more lobbying power. As for protecting yourself in a parking lot, if attacked, the likelyhood is that you would be getting into your car and not have access to your gun. As a result, if not armed already, you would probably wind up helping to supply a gun to someone who shouldn't have it. Finally, in general, it is far more likely that your gun will hurt someone you know, directly or indirectly, rather than be used to protect yourself.

[Dr_Dug]

JJ..for the sake of arguement..I own several guns myself. I just don't believe I need to bring them into the street to start a gun fight. If guns stayed in the homes by LAW..then anyone carrying one would be considered "ARMED and in PUBLIC". I don't need the police for home protection...I need the police protection from people who carry them OUTSIDE thier homes.

[Dr_Dug]

Jack...point proven! YOU are part of the problem..you admit it yourself!!

[Tony]

Dr Dug; Idiots can easily be identified; they resort to name calling when they cannot construct a valid argument.

Now then, I'll pose the question again: where does it specifically state in the BoR that you have a right to be 'safe' from 'guns'? The exact passage with that wording if you please? Simple, it does not exist, you have the right to life, liberty...etc, how does a gun on my person take away that right? How about if I use a pen to stab you in the eyeball, can we outlaw those as well?

Strawman argument on the bombs and anthrax; when did I say that? Those items are not guaranteed by the 2A. Nice try, might work when arguing with your kid, better bring a better argument if you'd like to debate me.

Now for the real nitty gritty; can you tell me when a gun law stopped a criminal? Why do all of the current laws keep getting broken by criminals? Do you know who obeys the laws? Not criminals eh?

11:53: "He said it was the second one to signify its importance."

Uh the last time I checked, the first 10 amendments were all introduced at the same time. You know, the Bill of Rights. I don't think one is more important thatn any of the other 9.

[John]

Funny, when was the last time you heard of anyone with a Concealed Weapons Permit shooting someone for other than self-defense? Oh that's right, it's the homey down the street who already illegally has the gun who is bustin' caps. If current gun laws were enforced, gun crimes wouldn't happen nearly as often.

[Tony]

Oh sure, the cops will protect you outside of your home...rotflmao

How wrong can you possible be? Let's see, there were two men shot in St. Pete last night...hmm cops failed to protect them. Virginia Tech?, Columbine? The list is nearly endless. Go do some research and tell me how often a cop is on scene to protect you while you are being threatened with great bodily harm. Cops investigate after the fact, they do little intervention in the comission of a crime.

Gun control was favored by Hitler, Stalin, Mao...worked out great. Australia and the UK banned guns, I just can't figure out how people are still getting shot there though? Oh, yeah, criminals don't obey laws.

Yeah, that's smart, trump property owner's rights for the NRA.

The first fascist freak who tries to break into my truck to see if I have a gun in it… will find out the hard way that I also have a permit to carry one strapped to my ankle.

Tend you own damn business and you wont get hurt!

I can't wait until the American Association of British Quartermasters and Dragoons starts to push their "Redcoats at Home" bill - I'll be damned if anyone screws with my 3rd Amendment Rights

Good to see we are getting back to personal responsibility in this state and beginning to emerge from a culture of victims.

Everyone knows the police are not there to protect you. Instead they investigate crimes, write reports and apprehend suspectes.

Democrats opposed this bill because they thrive on exploiting a culture of victimization and government dependancy.

Now if the Republicans would get on the stick and address the problems relating to illegal immigration they would be making progress at turning things around.

[JJ]

Dr Dug, the bottom line is, if you don't like this law, use your power at the polls to try to vote out the people who passed it. Then get the new legislators to change it. If you find yourself in the minority where you can't get the law changed to your liking, move to another state, where you'll find more people who are like minded with you, maybe NY, IL or CA.

... HA!

"Democrats opposed this bill because they thrive on exploiting a culture of victimization and government dependancy."

... as opposed to the Rebublicons who thrive on fear and Haliburton profit.

... putz