NRA pushes 'guns-at-work' bill in Florida

TALLAHASSEE -- A rare and spectacular showdown may be coming in Florida's Republican Party: Big Business vs. Big Guns. And the stakes couldn't be higher. To critics, it's about the safety of workplaces, including hospitals and churches, throughout the Sunshine State. To supporters, it's about the safety of employees who travel to and from those workplaces.

The dust-up is over the "guns-at-work" bill, which the National Rifle Association began pushing last month in Tallahassee to force all Florida businesses to allow firearms in the vehicles of any employee or visitor. Companies could keep policies banning guns from their buildings themselves but could no longer apply those policies to their parking lots.

Many businesses are either wary of or leaning against the proposal, including heavy-hitters such as Disney and local giants such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CSX and Baptist Health System.

But the NRA is insistent. The group, which has donated nearly $1 million in Florida over the past decade, mostly to Republicans, is led in Tallahassee by former national President Marion Hammer. Hammer said the rights of gun owners should be intact in their vehicles, and the proposed law already gives businesses immunity from liability lawsuits in cases of workplace shootings.

"Your home is a slam dunk, but bridging that into the private property of an organization doesn't hold," said Mike Hightower, chairman of the Duval County Republican Party and lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. "I don't think people are going to want to cross that line."

In a telling sign of wariness, neither Gov. Jeb Bush, Senate President Tom Lee nor House Speaker Allan Bense are taking positions on the bill yet.

No, I'm wondering if a person who was injured during a "postal" incident could sue the employer for not having provided a safe workplace. Perhaps you know the results of such suits, if they have occurred?

Absolutely. But I don't have access to a Lexis/Nexis database, so I can't readily answer the number of successful lawsuits on this issue. However, the number of lawsuits against the gun manufacturers are readily apparent for other similar incidents that are sponsored from the other side. They have consistently lost on point that just because a firearm functions in exactly the manner in which it is desgned to function the manufacturer can't be held responsible for illicit or irresponsible action by a user. Can't legislate against insanity. Can't litigate against it either. But you can physically protect yourself against a dangerously insane person who also happens to be armed.

"First of all, subs have about the toughest job in the system. My hat is off to you but I wonder about your judgment. Subs tend to make early burnout cases as regular teachers. Yeah, it MIGHT be good preparation, but it can wear you down, too. But then, I've taught in some very literal trenches over the years. If you're in a good environment, it might be great. What did you get your degree in? What level do you wish to teach? Subject?"

Judgment? Are you kidding? I spent 24 years in the Air Force. What freaking judgment? ;)

My degree is in social studies, secondary education. History, and geograpy, for a preference. I'm working on a masters in special ed. I'd prefer to teach secondary (which is 6th-12th here) but I'm working in an elementary school, in special ed, right now. I have decided that I do NOT want to be an elementary gen ed teacher. I can deal with the sticky people when I have them in small groups, but 25 at a time? (shudder...)

I'm subbing because I don't want to go back to Sam's Club and stack bananas. I'm subbing in the district I intend to work in, too, so I'm making more contacts. I'm also getting field experience in an area I'm interested in, and here in Oklahoma,at least, most social studies teachers are coaches. I will not coach, so I need something else to assure me employment. I'm also going to be certified in middle and intermediate-level math, as I've learned the hard way to value it. The teacher I'm replacing is having a complex pregnancy, so I'm more or less guaranteed relatively long-term employment while I wait for my certification papers to process. I had to order transcripts from 9 different colleges, and they're taking their own sweet time in getting them to my college. Then it takes the state about 60 days... gotta have some more income here somehow, you know?

Alaska anti-gun-control law goes into effect Wednesday
Address:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1503545/posts?page=1

" -- Gun owners will be allowed to keep their firearms in their vehicle, even if the car is parked on private property where the owner has a no-gun policy. -- "

Incredibly enough, there are lots of conservatives on FR who insist that private property 'rights' are being violated by such laws.

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