Take Your Gun To Work? Two States Say Yes

New Laws In Florida And Georgia Allow People To Take Their Weapons To Work With Them

(CBS)  New gun laws are front and center in two states this summer. These laws don't restrict access to guns, but expand where residents can carry their weapons, even to their workplaces. CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann reports on the legal showdown between gun rights and property rights that is about to take place in Federal Courts in Georgia and Florida.

---

Ann Stone is no Annie Oakley, just a Georgia mother, edgy about safety. So wherever she goes, she wants to take her .357 magnum.

"If there's a man that's going to attack me, there's nothing I can do personally, but if I have a gun, of course I can," Stone said.

Just this month, Georgia and Florida expanded state gun laws. People can now bring guns to work, so long as they leave them in their parked cars, joining gun owners in six other states with similar laws.

"They have the right to defend themselves and their families." said State Representative Tim Beardon, who wrote Georgia's new gun law.

Beardon, a former cop, says criminals benefited from restrictions on citizens carrying weapons,

"And it's about time that we started standing up for the innocent, law-abiding citizens instead of making excuses for the criminals all the time," Beardon said.

So, what's the worry? Guns within easy reach will lead to workplace shootings, some critics say. Just last month, a Kentucky plastics factory worker got angry, and got his gun in his car. He killed his supervisor, four co-workers, and then himself.

That's Larry Levine's nightmare.

"It's that ready access to a firearm that frightens us," Levine said.

Levine is an executive with Brandsmart, an appliance chain in Georgia and Florida. Even this NRA member wants guns kept away from his stores.

"Our company has the right to make the rules," Levine said. "Same as in your house. You may tell people that come to visit you they are not allowed to bring a firearm in the house."

Georgia's new gun law has more sticking points: whether firearms belong inside restaurants that serve alcohol; public transportation; and even the world's busiest airport in Atlanta.

The issue is whether people can carry guns in the common areas -- from the parking lots right up to security checkpoints -- not beyond, Strassmann reports. But for now, get caught carrrying a gun anywhere inside this airport, and you're in for trouble.

Ben Decosta runs this airport and oversees its security.

"They need to know who the good guys and the bad guys are, and have no mistake about it," Decosta said.

He's fighting in court to keep guns out. Decosta says even an accidental discharge would cause bedlam.

"It doesn't make any sense to bring in dangerous weapons in with people who are civilian and untrained," Decosta said.

But, to Tim Bearden, it makes perfect sense.

"Property's great, but nothing's better than your life," Beardon said.

And to Ann Stone, that's what it's all about. Feeling like she's not a target for trouble.

[wogerwabbit]

That''s insane! I don''t trust myself enough to take a gun to work!

[wardoglrs]

Just where did the government think that you needed there permission to exercise your God given right

[rheola-2009]

"If there''s a man that''s going to attack me, there''s nothing I can do personally, but if I have a gun, of course I can," Stone said.


What an unbelievable amount of paranoia the NRA is responsible for in America, and is it a case of how gullible are those who fall for it, or is the situation, with the easy access to guns, so out of control that total lawlessness reigns supreme in America.

[kazar701949]

NO MORE GUNS.....PERIOD... Guns and people kill.Guns must be removed from society.

[idnnsg]

Haven''t any of you gun lovers noticed that this is a cra/zy, mixed up world, populated with innumerable cra/zy people? EVERY ONE of those cra/zies can bring their guns to work, too!

You can''t "defend" anything with a gun; you can ONLY offend! A gun is an offensive weapon. He who shoots first, kills. He who tries to "defend" himself with his gun can''t do so because he''s DEAD!

The NRA consists of GUN DEALERS who don''t care about ANYTHING or ANYONE. They only want to manufacture and sell more guns. To do so, they NEED a world full of igno/rant, paranoid fo/ols to buy their products. And that''s what they''ve got!

I predict MORE senseless deaths, and damm few successful "defensive" gun uses.

[sistatee-2009]

NO MORE GUNS.....PERIOD... Guns and people kill.Guns must be removed from society.

Posted by kazar70 at 10:22 PM : Jul 27, 2008

You mean for the common man. Think the Kennedys, Clintons and Bushes are going to give up their armed escorts and body guards? Oh...but that''s different. They''re rich. It''s okay for them to be protected. Right?

[edintex]

You anti-gun nuts are loosing ground on the issue of guns nationwide, and its making some of you loose your minds. I hope they dont let YOU purchase a gun!

[edintex]

NO MORE GUNS.....PERIOD... Guns and people kill.Guns must be removed from society.
Posted by kazar70 at 10:22 PM : Jul 27, 2008

You''d better be ready to shoot me and my boys if you want our guns! Good luck...

[idnnsg]

"Just where did the government think that you needed there permission to exercise your God given right" asks some re/****

In what scripture, and in which version, on what page does it say God gave you the right to carry a gun? You have just made that up!

And don''t waste my time with vague statements that apply equally well to guns, uzis, bazookas, hand grenades, shoulder fired rockets, tactical limited nukes, etc.! Be specific.

If you are honest, you''ll just have to admit that no such "right" is granted to you by God. However, there are MANY places in MANY scriptures where you are told "Thou shalt not kill". Ponder THAT for a while, you imbecile!

[haoli25]

Lock and Load!!!

This should make pay raises more easy to come by. You will now be graded on preficiency, production, and AIM.
lol

[starleo146]

wouldn''t you know Florida and Georgia Man now the rest will follow and we will have a civil war again LOL

[starleo146]

this is too funny I think we have gone mad we are losing jobs right and left and people desperate people can take guns to work look out supervisors, managers no pink slips please

[starleo146]

well there goes take this job and shove it. It will be give me this job or else

[starleo146]

just think the money the NRA lobbyist give our wonderful leaders they could change the whole picture of guns by refusing to take the money yea sure.

[toolmangler-2009]

If Guns go to work with you somebody may not come home. This may change "going postal" to "Go to work"

[lucasnico]

You''''d better be ready to shoot me and my boys if you want our guns! Good luck...

Posted by edintex

always learn something when west virginia checks in...

[beehive21-2009]

Man has lost it ? Why, thru Religion, pushing men to kill others if they fail to do as they are told in the name of a Fairy Tale , from a long time ago.Man now is arming themselves to deal with crazed humans who think they are more Holy. The wild west could have not Dreamed up whats going on today.Fools blowing themselves up with women and children, babies Grandparents in the Name of Allah ? Brainwashed Robots we need the target practice and welcome it.Pack a piece, prepare to slain the wicked.

[jj67rs]

It''s amazing how many of you anti-gun nuts there are out there, who are so quick to take away every gun from every law abiding citizen-because you think it will make you safer. You people are pathetic, control freeks. Id be willing to bet you are the same type of people that constantly assert their views, oppinions, and ways of getting things done onto everyone around you-because everyone else, in your mind is just incapapable-And by doing so you are making the world a better place. The same type of people, who I am sure, cracks under the tiniest amount of pressure. The type of people who are incapable of protecting themselves if need be, so you would rather just leave that job up to somebody else. Get a backbone....you make me sick!

[thetackman-2009]

All the research I have done says this group
www.georgiacarry.org has nothing to do with the NRA.
If you don''t like guns ask yourself this question.
Will you tell your kids that your sworn to protect, mommy and daddy wet their pants at the sight of a gun so we couldn''t protect you?. Criminals will have guns anyway so law abiding citizens should too.

[nolalou]

Just where did the government think that you needed there permission to exercise your God given right
Posted by WarDogLRS

It may be a constitutional right , but I doubt god has anything to do with it!

[jj67rs]

I know I can''t recall anywhere in the bible where it says to be a victim, and not to defend ones self, or ones family either.

[timdgrim]

Let''s see.....Woman + PMS Loaded Gun = Dead Man
Alright....trip to Georgia is off!

[guadalcanal3]

JJ67RS...What''s the Bible got to do with it???

[stn_sage]

Good luck! It seems like Florida has an excessive amount of violence, robbery, and weird things happening already.

Now, they want to allow people to take their guns to work, too?! I can''t see a lot of good, positive things coming from that---but, additional shootings!

[guadalcanal3]

JJ67RS...I would say that you people who need to have your guns...are the...as you put it... "control freaks".

[Hybdiesel]

We should pass a law, for anti gun nuts ,to mark their front door. Then we can find out just who''s house the robbers will enter the most. I do not need a law to tell me it''s OK to have a gun in my own house. I think not knowing what to expect, prevents lot''s of crime.

[jedi080808]

Americas Constitutionally granted right to bear arms tells US that you can only carry arms as a well regulated militia member. If your employer supports the Bush/McCain crime family, then it is your right to kill management of the firm with your gun.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by neoconism at 12:11 AM : Jul 28, 2008


Give me a break, nobody interprets the law that way except tree hugging hippies!!! Go grow some pot somewhere and smoke it and stop trying to change the constitution

[jedi080808]

Americas Constitutionally granted right to bear arms tells US that you can only carry arms as a well regulated militia member. If your employer supports the Bush/McCain crime family, then it is your right to kill management of the firm with your gun.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by neoconism at 12:11 AM : Jul 28, 2008


Give me a break, nobody interprets the law that way except tree hugging hippies!!! Go grow some pot somewhere and smoke it and stop trying to change the constitution

[jedi080808]

Good luck! It seems like Florida has an excessive amount of violence, robbery, and weird things happening already.

Now, they want to allow people to take their guns to work, too?! I can''''t see a lot of good, positive things coming from that---but, additional shootings!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by stn_sage

Lots of studies show that Places like DC (who had the gun ban) have more violence then places that don''t. Legal guns don''t kill people. Criminals shouldn''t be the only people armed

[haoli25]

That Ruger SR-9 in the picture would be a lovely little gun to take to work. The 17 + 1 keeps you from having to constantly change magazines. lol

[jj67rs]

guadalcanal, scroll back a page or two and you will realize that comment was in response to someone elses comment about the 2nd amendment and god...Oh and by the way...to be a control freek, and using a gun as your tool to do so would be crossing the line from being a law abiding citizen and a criminal..Get a clue...

[pirmin3]

This is the GOP fear campaign on steroids.

[stn_sage]

Lots of studies show that Places like DC (who had the gun ban) have more violence then places that don''''t. Legal guns don''''t kill people. Criminals shouldn''''t be the only people armed

Posted by jedi080808 at 12:16 AM : Jul 28, 2008
-------------------
I never said I was against it. If the citizens there want to do it that way, it''s up to them.
I understand the argument you''re presenting, but I''d point out a couple things:

1. Historically, ''D.C.'' has always been a very violent place! Not your typical city. That''s WHY they had the gun ban to begin with! Not a good example to use.

2. You say, legal guns don''t kill people. Sure, they do! Just as well as illegal guns, too.

3. Criminals aren''t the only ones armed! So are the police, private detectives, military personnel, couriers, and private citizens. If you catch some b@stard breaking into your house, then you blow him into a parallel universe!

[vnveteran72]

Let''''s see.....Woman + PMS Loaded Gun = Dead Man
Alright....trip to Georgia is off!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by timdgrim at 12:08 AM : Jul 28, 2008
report abuse

LOL.....Good One.....

[vnveteran72]

Out West in places like Wyoming and Montana, you can see people strapped inside stores and on the streets, any time of day, any day of the year. They leave their doors unlocked and windows open, and they have virtually no crime. Is this a coincidence???
I think not.
I go out there and strap on my gun and walk down the street, just because I can. It feels good to be a Free Citizen in America, where cops aren''t Tazering your Azz for exercising your Constitutional Rights.
Everyone should try it. It feels really good.
Don''t be Skeeeeeeerd.........

[antizion]

The constitution states "The right to bear arms" not just guns. Can I put a 500 lb bomb in my trunk and take that to work? Ya know... just in case I have a bad day or get fired?

Personally I don''t want a bunch of slack jaw fear based rednecks coming to work with guns.

[vnveteran72]

Personally I don''''t want a bunch of slack jaw fear based rednecks coming to work with guns.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by AntiZion at 01:22 AM : Jul 28, 2008
+ report abuse

On the bright side, if they go berserk, you can blow their heads off.....
Slack-Jawed, Mouth-Breathing, Droolers Bullet to Forehead = Good Times and Improved Gene Pool

[sociald63]

i told my family that we are moving to florida - not because of disneyworld - but because its gonna be a safer world...me and my glock :) of course, my kids look forward to seeing uncle mickey

[rheola-2009]

Out West in places like Wyoming and Montana, you can see people strapped inside stores and on the streets, any time of day, any day of the year. They leave their doors unlocked and windows open, and they have virtually no crime. Is this a coincidence???
I think not.

Posted by vnveteran72 at 01:10 AM : Jul 28, 2008

Sounds just like the town I live in, but then that is just as it is like in my country in general.

We have gun control laws [not bans] so we do not have to arm ourselves for protection against every Tom, *** and Harry who has a gun.
Hopefully America''s NRA induced paranoia remains in America.

[patriot12436]

stn-sage
i think D.C. is a perfect example. They went for 30 years without guns and the crime only increased each year. The argument that people having guns makes more crimes doesn''t fly. I could support a law like Florida and Georgia have instated, but i would also want mandatory firearm training, back ground checks and at least a three day waiting period. Why not also have a law saying a private citizen also has to have a state approved permit to purchase a firearm even from individuals. I think this is a loop hole that needs to be closed. My point is to make sure citizens do things legally and also be morally responsible for their actions.

[patriot12436]

antizion
I am sure you must be joking as explosives are covered by federal law and very well regulated as to who can have and for what reasons.

[patriot12436]

antizion
I agree totally, i do not want any idiots around handling guns. That is why i want controls on buying and mandatory training.I have been a responsible gun owner all my life and i fear the idiots with guns as much as you do. Personally i do not know them and am happy for that. I have run into a few and they are definately to be feared.

[andor3]

Pro-gun people live in a quaint fantasy world where there are "good" and "bad" people, and they are always one of the good ones, being heroes and defenders of truth and justice.

In fact it is the "good" gun owners who commit many of the crimes. The gun-owner who shoots their own family or kids friends because they are afraid and mistake identity. The gun-owner who becomes too angry, or drunk, or jealous, or scared, or bullied, to exercise good judgment.

So yes there is no doubt: more guns in more places, means more crime.

[patriot12436]

rheola
It is not paranoia to fear something real. We do have a serious crime problem in the U.S. There is no way a police officer can always be available to deal with a criminal. We have to protect ourselves.

[patriot12436]

sociald63
I like Florida but my ex lives there. I also prefer my baby desert eagle to the glock, but to each his own.

[andor3]

Anyone who wants to own a gun because it makes him/her feel good, calms their fears, or feeds their fantasy of someday being a hero and blowing away a "bad" guy is the last person who should have one.

[patriot12436]

andor3
I have been a responsible gun owner all my life, obey all the laws, do not abuse anyone, do niot drink, never mistook my friends or family members as thieves, nor has anyone i know. Perhaps the fantasy is in your mind thinking if i don''t admit or recognize the danger it cannot harm me.

[andor3]

patriot12436 says: "It is not paranoia to fear something real... We have to protect ourselves."

Yes that IS paranoia and if you feel that way you should not be allowed to own a gun.

[andor3]

patriot12436: "I have been a responsible gun owner all my life, obey all the laws, do not abuse anyone, do not drink, never mistook my friends or family members as thieves, nor has anyone i know."

You are a scary one. No one is all good, and anyone who claims to be so is not being honest or is insane.

He was such a nice quiet man, the neighbors all said--how many times have we heard that about killers?

[patriot12436]

andor3
And what makes you think being a gun owner means we sit around and dream of blowing people away. I do not think about it, and when it is brought up i know it is the last thing i would want to do. I had enough of killing in war, but i also look at things reom a reality prospect, There is enough crime going on that it can happen to you, it isn''t always goig to be someone else. I thwarted a car jacking once by drawing my gun, and i was involved in one shooting incident while in law enforcement. I have never enjoyed shooting or killing anyone.