Indiana Governor signs "take your gun to work" bill ...

[spin]

Daniels signs controversial gun bill

Updated: Thursday, 18 Mar 2010, 4:04 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Governor Mitch Daniels signed the controversial gun bill today that allows you to bring a gun to work so long as it is kept in a locked vehicle.

Daniels explained his action with the following statement:

“Considering the clear language of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and the even stronger language of Article 1 Section Thirty-Two of the Indiana Constitution, protecting these rights as provided in HEA 1065 is appropriate. I also am compelled to give great weight to the overwhelming consensus of both Houses of the General Assembly as they passed this bipartisan statute. The law does contain ambiguities that the General Assembly may wish to refine at some future date, to avoid unnecessary litigation, but the understandable concerns raised against the bill do not suffice to justify a trespass on a fundamental right so expressly protected by our founding documents.”
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/politics/state_politics/daniels-signs-controversial-gun-bill

Earlier article:

“Take Your Gun to Work” Act passes Indiana General Assembly; to Gov. Daniels for approval

March 5 2010


The Indiana General Assembly yesterday passed the Emergency Powers and Parking Lots Bill, otherwise known as the “Bring Your Gun to Work” Bill. The bill now goes to Governor Mitch Daniels for signing.

Under the Act, Hoosier employees who are appropriately licensed will be able to bring firearms as well as ammunition into the parking areas at their place of work as long as the weapons are locked in the trunks or gloves boxes of their vehicles or stored out of plain sight in a locked vehicle. The Act provides for a civil cause of action for employees who have been injured by a violation of this Act.

The Act specifically exempts a number of employers from coverage under the Act including schools, universities, prisons, child care centers, domestic violence shelters, investor-owned utilities and any facility regulated by the federal Department of Homeland Security's chemical facility antiterrorism standards or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It also exempts workers who transport the developmentally disabled in their personal vehicles.

If the Governor signs the Bill, and the current expectation is that he will, it will take effect July 1, 2010. Employers who have policies in their handbooks prohibiting weapons on their property will have to revise their policies to prohibit only unlawful possession of firearms and the possession of firearms in unlocked vehicles. In passing the Act, Indiana joins Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah in having such legislation.
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=df9170d2-ffc1-49d2-bc36-b3bb027956e7

[SoFlaJet]

1. Sounds like a great day to take a sick day off

in the Hossier State

[benld74]

2. Nationwide Story in 3,2,1,,,,,

[JackintheGreen]

6. Oh, a law just for Ryan Franklin!

:evilgrin:

[Xipe Totec]

3. Next, Indiana Governor signs "shoot yourself in the foot" bill ...

[aquart]

4. Think of this as an unemployment benefit.

And all the jobs that will soon be opening up.

If I were a metal scanner salesman I would be sending brochures to every business in the state.

[DBoon]

5. Will workplace disputes turn into a duel at 20 paces?

unfortunately, I suspect not

[LiberalFighter]

7. If we are lucky Daniels will demonstrate how to use a firearm in the workplace (Capitol)

[dashrif]

8. oklahoma

has had this for years good for them

[spin]

9. An argument FOR the "take your gun to work" law ...

The Right to Keep & Bear Firearms in Motor Vehicles
By State Representative Paige Kreegel

Below is an article written by a Florida Legislator, Paige Kreegel, who was a co-sponsor of Florida’s “The Preservation and Protection of the Right to Keep and Bear arms in motor vehicles Act” — legislation that passed and was signed by Governor Crist in 2008. It is an excellent piece and I thought it might be useful to folks who are currently fighting these battles around the county. Thanks so much. Marion Hammer

Florida - -(AmmoLand.com)- Frequently, editorials castigate legislatures and legislators, for passing or supporting legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to keep their firearms locked in private vehicles while at work or while shopping.

This is an issue on which thoughtful people can and do disagree. However, so many editorial contain enough errors, assumptions, and omissions, that it begs for – in Paul Harvey’s words – “The rest of the story”.

***snip***

Consider a (depressingly) common situation: A single mother with custody of her child, dealing with an abusive, violent ex-husband or boyfriend, maybe even a stalker. These unfortunate women are not part of the leisure-crowd or the golf-and-tennis-scene. Mostly they are relegated to low-paying jobs in the service industry, often evening or night shifts.

From the time they leave the house, to drop off their babies at child-care, go to work, and then reverse the process 8 or 10 hours later, these women are completely vulnerable to premeditated violence from larger, stronger, and often obsessed males. There are not possibly enough police or armed guards to escort these employees safely to and from work. Moreover…..none are offered. Their only possible protection is a firearm.

Now, some employers would take away even that basic right–the ability to self-defense, and offer no alternatives. They have forced employees to sign waivers allowing their cars to be searched in the parking lots.

Private property rights of the employer are invariably invoked in this debate.

But what about the private property of the employee?

What is it about an employee’s car that does not seem to be “private property”?

Lobbyists for some industries claimed that employees lose their private property rights when they enter an employer’s parking lot.

Really? So then an employer could steal their car, sell it and not be violating the law?

Others claim that the employee has no right to privacy while on employer property.

Is that so?? Then is it OK for them to set up a hidden camera in the ladies rest room?

Much emphasis is given to the employees having “waived” their rights–in writing–as a pre-condition to employment.

If constitutionally guaranteed rights can be so casually dismissed, can the employee also be forced to “waive” their right to the minimum wage?

How about “waiving” your right to non-discrimination based on race, gender, or religion?
http://www.ammoland.com/2010/03/09/the-right-to-keep-bear-firearms-in-motor-vehicles/

[TPaine7]

16. Wow, Those are very good arguments. I'm impressed. n/t

[damntexdem]

10. Oh, that will be really popular at the post office.

And that's sure a wonderful way to encourage government to keep its hands off of private businesses.

So much of this country is really loony.

[spin]

11. Twelve states now have "take your gun to work" law ...

with no major incidents.

For years I always carried a firearm in my car in Florida including to and from work. I worked the late night shift. While I'm not paranoid there had been several instances of "bump and rob" and the occasional road rage incident on my route to work. Many other co-workers also had firearms in their cars as it is legal in Florida. One actually had a road rage incident occur while he was driving to work. Another driver became enraged and got out of his car at a stop light and approached my co-worker's vehicle with a tire iron in his hand. My friend was boxed in by other vehicles and couldn't simply drive off. He drew a 9mm pistol from his glove box and held it in his hand on the steering wheel. The aggressive driver noticed the weapon and returned to his car. A peaceful end to a possible violent situation.

Because of the efforts of some groups such as the Brady Campaign, many companies developed policies against leaving firearms in your locked vehicle in their parking lot. Fear of a lawsuit was a big concern for the companies. The company I worked for came up with such a policy but it was a "don't ask, don't tell" approach. Still, they could conceivably ask to search your car and fire you if they found a firearm.

The Florida "take your gun to work" basically returned things to the way they had been with several items that I considered improvements.

The bill prohibits employers from banning guns on their premises, so long as customers and employees who bring weapons to the workplace have a concealed weapons license and leave the guns locked in their cars. Furthermore, an employer will be prohibited from inspecting a vehicle or making any written or verbal inquiry regarding the presence of a firearm inside the vehicle. The law also prohibits an employer from refusing to hire someone because he or she has a concealed weapons license; preventing someone from entering the employer's property because he or she has a concealed weapons license; or terminating someone's employment because he or she a concealed weapons license. Schools, jails, and nuclear-powered facilities are exempt from the law.

Individuals who believe their rights under this law have been violated could bring a civil lawsuit and may be awarded costs and attorneys' fees. In addition, the Florida Attorney General can bring administrative and judicial enforcement actions against offending employers.

Businesses were given one small concession in that they were provided immunity from lawsuits in the event that a shooting takes place on their property.
http://www.foley.com/publications/pub_detail.aspx?pubid=4893

[spin]

12. Here's a great example of the bullshit those who oppose the law published...

florida's take your gun to work law starts July 1st

does anyone else find it insane that florida lawmakers passed the 'take your gun to work law' and that people will have the ability to leave their gun in their car? do you really want a 'wesley higdom' happening in south florida? do you really want something like that happening to you, or worse, your family?

until they overturn this law (which i can't imagine it'll take very long - and only a few innocent lives will be lost in the process) i've written a guide for those of us who are attempting to make it through the day without a gun…
survival guide for the gunless...

tips to survive the drive…
#1. if someone is tailgating, do not attempt to slow down to ‘teach them a lesson’- there’s a chance you will be shot
#2. if someone is honking, do not attempt to honk back – there’s a chance you will be shot
#3. if the other car is slow to drive when a light turns green, do not attempt to honk – there’s a chance they’ll let slow down to let you pass, and then you will be shot

when you arrive at work…
#1. if there is a dispute over the last parking spot – do not attempt to argue with the other driver – there’s a chance you will be shot
#3. if you know someone leaves their gun in their car – do not park near them, there’s a chance someone has broken into their car, stole their gun and then you will be shot
#2. if you get in an argument with someone – do not proceed to the parking lot with them, there’s a chance they’ll go in the car, grab their gun and then you will be shot
#4. if a cazy-mad-man decides to break into all the cars in the parking lot, steal the guns, then shoot-up your place of work – do not stand near the guy who goes to run to his car to get his gun to be a big hero because then you will be shot in the cross-fire
#5. if the big hero some how manages to make it to his car without being killed, grabs his gun and makes it back into the building - do not stand near the big hero because you will be shot.

instead cower in the corner, dial 9-1-1 and live to tell the story to your kids.
http://www.thecovertovert.com/2008/06/floridas-take-your-gun-to-work-law.html

[TPaine7]

17. "cower in the corner"

Cowering may be the only skill possessed by the author of that tripe. Rhetorical and logical skills are certainly not in evidence.

[onehandle]

13. I love how this room celebrates the actions of Republicans and the right. nt

[spin]

14. A common misconception ...

many Democrats and Independents own firearms and support concealed carry and laws such as "take your gun to work".

In my opinion, allowing honest citizens to own and carry firearms is an EXTREMELY liberal idea. Gun control laws are based on racism and the desire to keep "those people" from owning or carrying firearms. All too often the people who support those laws are authoritarians who hope to preserve their position on the top of the heap.

Democrat Mayor Daley of Chicago is an outstanding example of a authoritarian, as is the Republican Mayor of New York City, Mayor Bloomberg.

[hex29a]

15. I don't think the Brady Bunch was behind that but what the hell, it will probably destroy society

as we know it just like same-sex marriage in Massachusetts destroyed the holy institution of marriage.

[friendly_iconoclast]

18. You mean stuff like "Democrats resurrect concealed weapons measure"?

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100318/NEWS10/3180350/1001

I support the actions of Democrats Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Don't you?

[proteus_lives]

20. You are a cut off your nose to spite your face type of fella.

[proteus_lives]

19. This Hoosier has been doing that for years.

[Euromutt]

21. "Take your gun to work" is a misnomer

We all know this kind of law doesn't permit a private individual to carry a firearm into the workplace itself; it merely asserts that the contents of a privately owned motor vehicle are not subject to inspection by any non-governmental entity, such as a private corporate entity. I always find it incongruous how certain people on these boards who are more than ready to bemoan and decry the freedoms/powers granted to corporations when it comes to just about anything, suddenly become staunch defenders of the "property rights" of those very same corporations when such an entity asserts that it can ban firearms from its property. Feel free to interpret my use of the word "incongruous" in this context to mean "blatantly hypocritical."

But I digress.

"Take your gun to work" is an example of "framing the debate," just like the Brady Campaign's use of the term "'shoot first' law" for are more commonly called "stand your ground" and "Castle Doctrine" laws. The term "shoot first" was obviously coined to invoke the association "and ask questions later" to falsely give the idea that it would permit injudicious use of lethal force.