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Hot poll - Disney employee says he will carry a gun to work and will sue Disney if they try to stop

Doug Huffman

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Washington Island, across Death's Door, Wisconsin,
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http://www.wftv.com/news/16792006/detail.html

UPDATED: 6:27 pm EDT July 4, 2008ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A new state law went on the books Tuesday saying people could bring guns to work if they kept them locked in their car. Disney, though, said it was exempt from the new law and its 62,000 employees needed to keep their guns at home.

Friday, a worker who protested the park’s decision told Channel 9 he was suspended.

The worker was well aware that he could end up losing his job when he took the gun to work Friday morning, but said that the principle at stake means enough to him that he was willing to take the risk, especially on the day we celebrate the country and our freedoms.

As he pulled into work, Edwin Sotomayor recorded Sheriff’s Deputies and Disney managers waiting for him. After he refused a car search, managers drove Sotomayor to their offices, questioned him further and then sent him to his normal post. Four hours into his shift, Sotomayor says he was suspended.

Disney told employees it is exempt from the new law that allows them to bring a gun to work, because it stores fireworks on site.

Disney told Channel 9 he was suspended because he wouldn’t cooperate with their investigation. They also said he could be fired for carrying the gun, which he says is about safety on his ride to work.

Sotomayor says he’s willing to be the test case for the new law, even if it means losing his job and going to work.Disney is investigating the case internally. While Disney employee files are confidential, sources day Sotomayor has been disciplined by Disney in the past. Sotomayor insists he is testing this law on his own and hasn’t been contacted by groups like the NRA.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=84125&catid=8

[Excerpts] Friday, Orange County sheriff's deputies asked to search the car of security officer Edwin Sotomayor but he reportedly refused.

[ ...]

...the bill states that property owned or leased by an employer who has a permit required by federal law to manufacture, use, store or move explosives would still be off limits. Disney has a permit for its fireworks shows.

http://www.wftv.com/surveypopup/news/16772407/detail.html?p=news

The NRA is taking aim at Disney. A new law just went on the books in Florida that says people are allowed to bring their guns to work, but it's not the case at Central Florida's largest employer. Do you think Disney employees should be allowed to bring guns to work?

5079 votes running 90% YES!
 

adam40cal

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Mar 6, 2008
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Location
Saginaw, Michigan, USA
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Yes 4702
1444592.gif
90% No 524
1444592.gif
10%
 

cvickers

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Jun 8, 2008
Messages
42
Location
Orlando, Fl., , USA
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In response to Doug Huffman's post, Disney is basing their argument on the section that states'...
(e) Property owned or leased by a public or private
employer or the landlord of a public or private employer upon
which the primary business conducted is the manufacture, use,
storage, or transportation of combustible or explosive materials
regulated under state or federal law, or property owned or
leased by an employer who has obtained a permit required under
18 U.S.C. s. 842 to engage in the business of importing,
manufacturing, or dealing in explosive materials on such property...'

I don't really believe that the primary business of Disney is it fireworks. As far as the second portion is concerned, I don't know if they manufacture their own explosives or if they 'import' them. What is the definition of importing..from another state or from another country?

The Legislators who created the law stated that their objective was to exempt defense plants not theme parks.

Some of the comments going around indicate that the public don't even understand the law. They think the employees are allowed to carry while working. One woman commented that 'Disney should protect them while they are working'.

What part of being safe while driving to and from work do they not understand?
 

Custodian

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Joined
Dec 7, 2007
Messages
283
Location
The Capital City of Oaks - Raleigh, NC
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Mike wrote:
I am mainly concerned with County deputies being deployed to back up or enforce a Disney policy. Disturbing.

Disney to local law enforcment: That's right, officers. You earn that county tax money! Even though its not like were moving anywhere, so we can't threaten that.

LEOs to an organization that was loyal to Nazis and makers of pornography: Sir, yes sir!
 

Chkultr

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Feb 25, 2007
Messages
236
Location
Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
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Let me ask this? As a customer can I leave my car on a property parking lot with my gun locked in the safe under my seat and go enjoy my day at WDW? Also I do not remember seeing signs saying no weapons. I know they search bags, strollers, and purses, but not customers. Me with no bag can walk right in! I'm down there twice a year or more if I am lucky....

IMO I think the cast member went about it the best way. I do not agree with Disney's policy, but the permit has the ground they need to stand on.....

Just see how this one plays out
 

rvrctyrngr

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
363
Location
SE of DiSOrDEr, ,
imported post

Chkultr wrote:
Let me ask this? As a customer can I leave my car on a property parking lot with my gun locked in the safe under my seat and go enjoy my day at WDW? Also I do not remember seeing signs saying no weapons. I know they search bags, strollers, and purses, but not customers. Me with no bag can walk right in! I'm down there twice a year or more if I am lucky....

IMO I think the cast member went about it the best way. I do not agree with Disney's policy, but the permit has the ground they need to stand on.....

Just see how this one plays out
Yes, you can have your weapon in your car at da House of Mouse. Yes, you can legally carry in the parks. Yes, Disney has signs all over the place that say 'no weapons'. Yes, it is still completely legal. They'll search bags, etc, but not your person.


Mr. Sotomayer has filed suit against Disney. He has retained renowned FL GunLawGuru Attorney Jon Gutmacher as his counsel. If there's an attorney on the planet that can win this thing for Sotomayor, it's Jon.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/local/newsletter/orl-biznews-disney071108,0,1708876.story
 
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