NRA Guilty of Poor Aim in Fla. Guns-at-Work Case

Second Amendment does not trump property rights for private companies
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 25, 2008 10:10 PM CDT
NRA Guilty of Poor Aim in Fla. Guns-at-Work Case
"Municipal government may not forbid guns to everyone on the territory under its control," Steve Chapman writes. "But, as far as the Constitution is concerned, a private property owner certainly can."   (AP Photo)

Florida’s "take your guns to work” law seems like it’s upholding the right to bear arms (which is what the National Rifle Association wants us to believe), but in fact it’s a violation of property rights, Steve Chapman argues in Reason. The law allows permit-holders to keep a gun in their car on the employee parking lot—whether their employer approves or not.

The Second Amendment, Chapman notes, is only supposed to limit government power to restrict firearms. Private entities retain the right to restrict their employees' behavior while at work in lots of ways the government cannot. Employers should be able to decide whether to allow guns in their parking lots, and employees can then find a workplace that suits their firearms preference. (More guns stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X