Walt Disney World fires back on guns at work

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

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

CM raises money for his defense at gun show.

He doesn't have a leg to stand on.

 

[raidermatt]

Couple of things.

Pulling out a gun during the vast majority of crimes is going to make the situation worse a lot more often than it will make it better. I'm sure everybody on this board has perfect judgment in such situations, but I'm afraid I can't trust the average law abiding citizen to make that kind of call when other's lives are on the line. Meaning, if I'm in aisle 2 and some guy pulls out a piece and demands money, please, just give it to him. If you are the only two people around, fine, go High Noon on him all you want. Hopefully you are the quicker draw. But if there are others around, just let him go and instead pull out your cell phone and call the cops as soon as he leaves.

I'm also not comfortable with more road ragers having guns in their cars. I've seen people who otherwise seem like pleasant individuals turn into completely different people when they are behind the wheel.

As for the particular case of WDW, I'm sure we can understand why they feel that way. Crime isn't exactly rampant there, and having more people on property with guns is much more likely to cause a problem than solve one.

I know this is a hot button topic for a lot of people, so I don't want to make a huge debate about it here. I'm just hoping we can at least see both sides of the story. I do see the point of those who are responsible and would never pull out a gun unless it was absolutely necessary. I'm just trying to look at the bigger picture and what might be best for everybody, at least in some situations.

 

[KYMickey]

I have mixed opinions on this issue. While I agree that employees having firearms within WDW isn't required and probably not appropriate, I do understand the fact that some of them may have a need to have a firearm for self protection while off property. If they feel this need (and it may be legitimate) they need to have the ability to leave the firearm in their personal automobile while they're at work or they wouldn't be able to have it for personal protection while not at work.

On the legal side of the issue I'm not sure if Disney has the right to inspect an employee's personal automobile without a warrant, something I think they'd have a hard time obtaining.

I guess my personal opinion is that I don't see a problem with an employee leaving a weapon they have legally in their automobile while they're at work as long as they don't feel a need to use it while at work.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Any more news on this guy? Is he continuing to fight this?

 

[CanadianGuy]

On the legal side of the issue I'm not sure if Disney has the right to inspect an employee's personal automobile without a warrant, something I think they'd have a hard time obtaining.
.

In this instance police were present and appear (from what we can see on the video) to have executed the search based on whatever statements the employee made publicly to the effect that he was 'going to bring a gun anyway..'

And whether or not, in theory, they have a right to search his personal vehicle without police depends on what documents he may have signed when his employment was initiated. Several companies have employment agreements that stipulate that your vehicle or other personal property may be searched at any time without cause while on the premises of your employer and that by accepting the employment as offered you accept those terms.

Those types of agreements have held up in court on a number of occasions.. I'm not sure if Disney has employees sign those or if they are valid in the state of Florida either.

It might stand to reason that some employees (security guards in this instance) might be held to a higher standard in this regard. Therefore, security staff may have to sign a document like that whereas a kitchen worker might not.

Regardless, Disney clearly had police present in this instance because they had 'cause' to believe, based on his own statements and admission, that he would be bringing a gun to work on that date, which would be not only contrary to Disney company policy but also the law that gave Disney the exemption.

That's justification enough with a sworn statement from those who witnessed the statements to get a warrant.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I have to say I don't like the Guns in the Cars either just to many things can happen and now where and what will that gun be used for.

I have no problem with Carry laws as long as your Carrying it. I think they should provide lock areas at every location with security watching over the Guns. The CMs have to go somewhere to get into the parks they could just provide lock safes right there with one person responsible for what goes in and what goes out.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Good for Disney. What a stupid law anyway, says me, the gun-controlled-and-happy-about-it Canadian.

I second this as a "no tolerance" canadian myself I support disney and their backing of the commerce to have the bill overturned. Guns in cars can only lead to more accidental (and purposeful) injuries!!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Ya, I was going to say the point of the law was to allow those who feel the need for concealed carry to not have to worry about being defenseless as they go to and from work but someone beat me to it. It isn't about having a gun readily available on your person while you are at work.

So I understand this but...my concern is with the borderline personality who has a concealed weapon (legally) in their car on the day their employment is terminated. It seems to me you hear more about this kind of event rather than the kindly stranger taking down the malicious criminal.

 

[angelwolf67]

i have to agree with i'm no prince. disney should have "lockers" for their employees. as a mom and female i don't go anywhere without my firearm. i have a ccw (concealed carry permit) and I would never leave mine in my car. who know what idiot might break into it.

 

[DancingBear]

Really, you don't go anywhere without your firearm? What do you do when you are visiting Disney World? Or your child's school? Or fly an airplane?

Now Disney should not only be required to allow firearms, but that they should pay the expense of providing lockers and security for the lockers? Ridiculous.

 

[WDSearcher]

For all of the people using the "I need my gun in my car for my safety to and from work" reasoning -- like the ex-security guard at WDW -- I'd be interested to know if any of them have ever actually been in a situation on their way to or from work (when they didn't have their gun with them because they knew it wasn't allowed on property). I would think that if there were that many instances of people being threatened, carjacked or in danger on the way to or from their Disney jobs, we'd have seen quite the expose on it by now. If it had happened to the security guard, it would have been the topline of the article about him.

I live in Central Florida ... I work at Disney. I can't remember ever hearing or reading a story about a Disney CM being car-jacked or attacked on the way to or from their job, and I've never felt threatened or frightened, even when I was going in or leaving work at 3 or 4am. Maybe it's in isolated pockets that I don't see, but all of these people have apparently been driving to and from work for years without any problem. I don't get why they're so adamant now that weapons nearby are needed.

I realize that some people, by nature, are more fearful of the world and would rather prepare for the worst, and perhaps that's who these people are. But when I read a line like, "as a mom and female i don't go anywhere without my firearm" it does make me wonder what it is that has happened that caused you to feel that way. I'm a mom and a female, and I don't feel the need to carry a firearm. Never have.

 

[KYMickey]

i have to agree with i'm no prince. disney should have "lockers" for their employees. as a mom and female i don't go anywhere without my firearm. i have a ccw (concealed carry permit) and I would never leave mine in my car. who know what idiot might break into it.

Why doesn't Disney just provide you with an armed escort every place you go? Be realistic, nobody else provides lockers for employees to store their weapons in so why should Disney? Many other places don't allow weapons so why should Disney? Disney doesn't nor should they be forced to do anything more than any other workplace does, they should and do in most cases go out of their way to provide safety for their visitors and employees and weapons aren't part of the needs.

 

[angelwolf67]

well lets see i ask inadvance with airlines and get clearance, my kids take a bus to school don't have to worry about that. and i'll just have to see what disney will do on my next trip. if they won't allow it i won't go. theres other states that i can use my ccw or open carry (ie arizona new mexico texas just to name 3 of the top of my head). any other questions?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

well lets see i ask inadvance with airlines and get clearance, my kids take a bus to school don't have to worry about that. and i'll just have to see what disney will do on my next trip. if they won't allow it i won't go. theres other states that i can use my ccw or open carry (ie arizona new mexico texas just to name 3 of the top of my head). any other questions?

Yes. Are you telling me that you are allowed to carry a gun while sitting next to me on an airplaine?

 

[angelwolf67]

The only people who can carry on a plane is leo's (law inforcement officers).
Regular citizen can declare them in their checked luggage with some of the airlines. Each one has their own rules. Mine accepts them and that why I fly with them when I do fly (about once every 20 years at the rate i'm going).

 

[WDSearcher]

Never mind.

 

[DancingBear]

well lets see i ask inadvance with airlines and get clearance, my kids take a bus to school don't have to worry about that. and i'll just have to see what disney will do on my next trip. if they won't allow it i won't go. theres other states that i can use my ccw or open carry (ie arizona new mexico texas just to name 3 of the top of my head). any other questions?

Really, you've never driven your kids to school, or picked them up at school, or gone to a parent-teacher conference?

And firearms aren't allowed in the Disney parks.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I simply do know why the big flap.
2) The legislature, in all its wisdom, decided we would be safer.
3) We should now open it up to everyone, not just employees.
4) In the case of Disney property, guns in the car could be a great feature.
5) There are so many WDW instances where the weapon could help.
6) Think of all the injustices you could cure with a 44-Magnum
. . . those surly parking lot CM's in yellow
. . . parents wielding strollers wildly
. . . that driver taking taking two spaces
. . . the tram that takes off just before you get there
. . . stray rats, mice, and dogs
. . . the impolite able-body driver parking in a handicap space
. . . those CM's running around on Segways
. . . not to mention the kids who open car doors into the side of your car

 

[angelwolf67]

Is that realy nessary? I thought (my fault for thinking) we were have an honest discussion about our opinons on the subject. And everyone takes everthing WAAAAAY to serious. So let me clear a few things up on my part.
1. I live in arizona an open carry state. Very common to see people with guns oh their hip even in banks (yes you can do that here)
2. I haven't had to go the my kids school yet. but when and if I do I will respect the laws.
3. If I wanted to(and i'm not saying I do) I could lock my gun in the room safe at any WDW resort.
All I was trying to say from the begining is that if WDW CM want to carry their guns to work why can't they just lock them up in their lockers(i'm sure each CM already has one) instead of a car that could be broken into.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

All I was trying to say from the begining is that if WDW CM want to carry their guns to work why can't they just lock them up in their lockers(i'm sure each CM already has one) instead of a car that could be broken into.

Or they could just leave them home when they go to work. They aren't allowed to have it in their lockers or their cars.