Florida Senate passes 'take guns to work' law

TALLAHASSEE: Most Florida residents would be allowed to take guns to work under a measure passed by Florida lawmakers. 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 on Wednesday. It now goes to Governor Charlie Crist to sign into law. Backed by the National Rifle Association and some labour 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 US 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 Senator Durell Peaden, from Crestview, Florida. "It was what was dear in their hearts." The measure exempts a number of workplaces including nuclear power plants, prisons, schools and companies whose business involves homeland security. Critics say the measure usurps business owners' rights to determine what happens on their property and puts workers and managers at risk from disgruntled employees. Dozens of workplace shootings occur every year in the US and studies have shown that job sites where guns are permitted are more likely to suffer workplace homicides than those where guns are prohibited. Florida business groups are urging the governor to veto the measure, saying owners should be allowed to determine what happens on their property.