I’m a Florida resident. Over the past several months I have followed with great interest the legal battle in this state to force business owners to allow guns on their property. The new law which was pushed by the NRA would allow gun owners to keep guns in their cars at their place of work regardless of how the business owner may feel about having guns on their property. Florida’s Governor has signed the legislation and I believe it will take affect beginning in July.
The NRA has applauded this legislation and from what I can see most gun owners here in Florida support the measure. Maybe I’m way out of line here, but is anyone else uncomfortable with the idea that the Government and the NRA have just trampled on the rights of other Floridians.
Before I go any further let me tell you a little about myself. I am a 58 year old retiree from Long Island New York. I enjoy shooting and owning handguns and since moving to Florida I have a modest but growing collection of guns and a license to carry. My wife, a retired RN also owns a 38 snubbie for self defense, and I get to the range at least once a week My point is this. I am not anti-gun.
However, my right to own a hand gun does not trump the rights of those who for whatever reason do not care to have guns around. This controversy here in Florida began when an employee of Disney was dismissed for bringing a gun to work despite Disney’s condition of employment that prohibits guns on their property. In a recent interview the young man stated that, “Disney was interfering with his God given right to bear arms”. I guess my pastor has been selling the congregation short all these years because he never mentioned this God given right.
Here’s the bottom line. Whether the business is a giant like Disney or a small auto repair shop it is their property and they have the right to set the rules for conduct while on their property. This reinforces my belief that the NRA doesn’t lobby for the rights of Americans but rather the bottom line of the gun manufacturers.
This legislation represents a dangerous precedent and a very slippery slope for all of us. American liberties are a very difficult balancing act. We try to protect our rights without infringing on the rights of other Americans. Unfortunately that balance can fall out of kilter when lobbyists play a role in writing the laws and regulations of our country.
I’m sure my point of view will not be a popular one but you don’t have to be a student of history to realize what can happen when we stand by quietly while the rights of other Americans are swept aside.
The NRA has applauded this legislation and from what I can see most gun owners here in Florida support the measure. Maybe I’m way out of line here, but is anyone else uncomfortable with the idea that the Government and the NRA have just trampled on the rights of other Floridians.
Before I go any further let me tell you a little about myself. I am a 58 year old retiree from Long Island New York. I enjoy shooting and owning handguns and since moving to Florida I have a modest but growing collection of guns and a license to carry. My wife, a retired RN also owns a 38 snubbie for self defense, and I get to the range at least once a week My point is this. I am not anti-gun.
However, my right to own a hand gun does not trump the rights of those who for whatever reason do not care to have guns around. This controversy here in Florida began when an employee of Disney was dismissed for bringing a gun to work despite Disney’s condition of employment that prohibits guns on their property. In a recent interview the young man stated that, “Disney was interfering with his God given right to bear arms”. I guess my pastor has been selling the congregation short all these years because he never mentioned this God given right.
Here’s the bottom line. Whether the business is a giant like Disney or a small auto repair shop it is their property and they have the right to set the rules for conduct while on their property. This reinforces my belief that the NRA doesn’t lobby for the rights of Americans but rather the bottom line of the gun manufacturers.
This legislation represents a dangerous precedent and a very slippery slope for all of us. American liberties are a very difficult balancing act. We try to protect our rights without infringing on the rights of other Americans. Unfortunately that balance can fall out of kilter when lobbyists play a role in writing the laws and regulations of our country.
I’m sure my point of view will not be a popular one but you don’t have to be a student of history to realize what can happen when we stand by quietly while the rights of other Americans are swept aside.