Gun Toting Disney employee suspended

[Disneybridein2k3]

these are the people guarding us???

Gun Toting Disney employee suspended
Jul 6, 2008

A guard at Disney's Animal Kingdom was suspended upon arrival at work on Friday. Edwin Sotomayor had previously stated that he was going to have a gun in his vehicle when he arrived at work, which is now allowed for Florida residents who have a concealed weapon permit under a recently enacted law.

Disney is claiming to be exempt from this legislation since a portion of the law prohibits guns at workplaces where explosives are stored or manufactured. Disney has stated that their fireworks fall within this category.

Sotomayor was met by Disney managers and Deputy Sheriffs upon arriving at work on July 4. He videotaped his arrival and refused to allow a search of his vehicle. Disney has indicated that this refusal is what led to Sotomayor's suspension.

The employee has since filed a lawsuit claiming Disney has violated his Second Amendment rights under the Constitution as well as the Florida law allowing him to have a weapon in his possession.

Disney and other Florida businesses are continuing in their efforts to have the "Guns at Work" legislation repealed.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Who didn't see this coming?

Look, why does 2nd Amendment trump the rights of a property owner? You may have the right to carry a gun, but I have the right to say you can't bring it to my next BBQ. I'm sorry, I don't understand people's "I have rights, so I should be able to do whatever I want" mentality.

I don't even understand how the law got passed. If a company employee brings a gun onto privately owned company property and something happens....who in the heck do you think will be held responsible??? Not the lawmakers, not the person who brought the gun...no, it's going to be the company (Disney or otherwise) and companies should be able to use their discreation as to how to keep their risk down.

 

[safetymom]

He got his wish. He said he was going to bring the gun to work. I am sure he isn't surprised he was suspended.

 

[drakethib]

He got his wish. He said he was going to bring the gun to work. I am sure he isn't surprised he was suspended.

He was asking for it.

People like that don't need to have access to guns.

 

[dpuck1998]

As a gun-toten, right to bear arms "dude", this guy is way off base. Its a shame people like this ruin it for the responsible gun owners. Its private property, if they say you can't bring it then you can't. Try to get the guns from my house then you'll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

 

[thewall2k]

I am all for a persons right to bare arms, I would never do it personally, but as it stands right now it is legal. As for the Disney employee he knew exactly what he was doing, he was the one who called the cameras. It was a publicity stunt, why would an employee need a gun on disney property?

 

[safetymom]

http://www.wesh.com/news/16804300/detail.html

CM raises money for his defense at gun show.

 

[ericafny]

http://www.wesh.com/news/16804300/detail.html

CM raises money for his defense at gun show.

OK now that's just wrong..

 

[thewall2k]

http://www.wesh.com/news/16804300/detail.html

CM raises money for his defense at gun show.

That Just makes it even worse.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

http://www.wesh.com/news/16804300/detail.html

CM raises money for his defense at gun show.

This really makes my blood boil. I can only hope the judge can see past the circus show to see the real clown here. Hopefully the suspension is WITHOUT pay. What a jack**s.

 

[robertgp124]

Looking at it from a different viewpoint, this guy must have wanted to be a test case really badly. But unless you already had support lined up from an organization that agreed with you (and one with deep pockets for a legal defense)...

On the face of it, Disney's position seems perfectly fine to me.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Seems simple to me. If Disney says no guns, that means no guns. It's their company and they make the rules.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually they just can't say "no guns".
They had to use a special exemption that they came up with almost out of nowhere to obviate the new Florida law. The law in Florida says you CAN have a gun (IN YOUR CAR) at your workplace, unless a few certain workplace conditions apply. One of those is if they have or store explosives or "fireworks" on property. That's the loophole that Disney used to get around the new law and exempt almost their entire property.
THis gentleman appears to be testing that loophole. Should also add that the people who got that law passed claim they never intended for a place like Disney to be exempt.
Should also note that Universal is trying to exempt itself due some other loophole. They claim a "work-study" program at Universal makes them part of the Orange County public school system--which is exempt. Sea World is complying with the law.
So the fun shall begin in court!!!

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I agree with you entirely uncle, on every account. Disney cannot say "no" to guns in vehicles because the new law says guns are allowed by those that have a concealed weapon permit if said gun is locked in their vehicle. I also agree that this guy is testing the loop hole Disney found/made regarding fireworks. That being said, this clown knew just what he was doing and that is what really ticks me off ---- he set the stage - brought in the cameras - refused to allow Disney to search his vehicle when he SAID he had a gun in his vehicle (which is still not allowed because whether he likes it or not is still part of the loop hole) and now is suspended. If one person wastes a flat dime on this circus clown's defense, it would be a damn shame. The only concern I have is the Animal Kingdom doesn't have any fireworks and that is what this clown must be going for. We can only hope the judge/jury sees the circus and doesn't like smelly french clowns.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-disneygun0808jul08,0,2597674.story He was fired by Disney.

 

[thewall2k]

Can't say that him being fired surprised me at all. He is now going to drag this through the courts and through the Union process, he is just trying to get publicity.

 

[DaParkers]

I hope no one gives him anymore attention. I personally own a gun, but cannot understand the desire to bring it to work at WDW. Anything can happen anywhere, but let's be honest....What's the chances of you needing it at WDW? He wanted a circus and he got one. I'm very thankful that Disney found that so called "loophole" because he has some issues that need to be addressed and he should not be working there, especially as a guard.

 

[safetymom]

From the Orlando Sentinel

Disney employees with concealed-weapons permits be allowed to keep their guns in their cars while at work?

Yes. All other employees are able to.
No. It's too dangerous for visitors.
Not sure


Should Disney employees with concealed-weapons permits be allowed to keep their guns in their cars while at work?

Yes. All other employees are able to. (12939 responses)

80.7%

No. It's too dangerous for visitors. (2962 responses)

18.5%

Not sure (141 responses)

0.9%

16042 total responses (Results not scientific)

 

[DISNUT21]

Not to get off topic at all but I would like to add my two cents lol to the situation. Being an avid Disney traveler from the northeast, and a former WTC employee, I agree with the Florida State Government in allowing employees to carry concealed weapons to work. In my personal opinion, I also think that Disney should allow these employees to carry these weapons to work as it would be a deterrent to many terrorists who may have their sights set on WDW.

 

[disneycruise05]

In my personal opinion, I also think that Disney should allow these employees to carry these weapons to work as it would be a deterrent to many terrorists who may have their sights set on WDW.

I don't understand this. How would being allowed to keep a concealed handgun in your car be a deterrent to terrorists? A friend of mine is a cast member at the MK. To get to work, she drives from her apartment to the parking lot. There, she gets on a bus to the MK. Having a concealed handgun is not going to be any help whatsoever should a terrorist decide to storm Cinderella Castle.

Additionally, I don't think Disney would want individual cast members running to their cars to grab their guns should an event occur. I'm pretty sure they aren't looking for a Disney Militia.