With Florida Capitol no longer asking gun owners to secure firearms, Senate installs panic buttons

[seafan]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

.....

But two months after a new law made it easier to bring concealed guns into the Capitol, the Senate security force has installed special alert buttons on the phone of every senator and staffer.

At the touch of a button, an unseen officer in the Senate Sergeant at Arms Office can instantly monitor a conversation in Senate offices and respond if needed.

"Instead of reversing what we did, we're resorting to panic buttons," said Senate Democratic leader Nan Rich of Weston, who opposed the new gun law. "It's unnerving. My staff is very nervous."

.....

The Capitol building is naturally a place where emotions run high as the state's most controversial political issues are debated, often with large crowds in attendance. Every year brings a handful of incidents where an irate citizen or two is escorted from a committee room, an office or the public gallery in the House or Senate.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/with-florida-capitol-no-longer-asking-gun-owners-to-secure-firearms-senate/1205112

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Wondering when some hint of intelligence will emerge again in Tallahassee, if ever.

[Incitatus]

1. Wondering if this monitoring system can be activated when the button isn't pressed. nt

[quakerboy]

8. A very good question

On the one hand, we can hope its not set up that way. On the other, there is no good reason to believe that it couldn't be misused by a person or organization with the will to do so. Fortunately we know that it would never happen, as its a republican controlled state, and we all know no R would ever misuse such an opportunity.

[Ikonoklast]

2. And when something bad happens, as it inevitably will, who will they blame?

"No one thought a politically deranged right-wing nut with a gun would shoot one of our Democratic members!"

[Incitatus]

4. They will blame the lack of guns.

If more people had guns, the could have gotten the bad guy.

just a guess

[HowHeThinks]

12. We have a winner!

That's EXACTLY what they'd say. That's their standard answer for every gun related atrocity. MORE GUNS! :hide:

[onehandle]

3. They are regressing, for sure. nt

[Hoyt]

5. So they passed right wing gun legislation, but now think "panic buttons" are needed. Jeeeeez

[azureblue]

6. Got It

It's OK to carry guns anywhere, just not around the people who passed the law saying it is OK. Everyday Floridians don't have a panic button,so why should the legislators?

[PavePusher]

7. I'm wondering why the Florida Lege feels it must fear one of the most law-abiding of demographics.

Makes one wonder what they are doing, that they so fear the lawful....

[geomon666]

9. I hate this state.

I hate it!

[jpak]

10. We who are about to die salute you

GOP Gun Gladiators

idiots

yup

[Magoo48]

13. Second that....

[UnrepentantLiberal]

11. Why don't they give all the Senators guns and holsters

like Bonanza?

[hack89]

14. Good move - placate the pearl clutchers

without intruding on the rights of their employers.

[LanternWaste]

15. Allowing concealed weapons into the Capitol makes it safer so they installed panic buttons

Allowing concealed weapons into the Capitol makes it safer so they installed panic buttons in response to the increase in safety?

That's a very pretty dance. Same old tune, but a very pretty dance...