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Disney Employee Suspended After Bringing Gun To Work

Posted: 5:18 pm EDT July 4, 2008Updated: 6:27 pm EDT July 4, 2008

A new state law went on the books Tuesday saying people could bring guns to work if they kept them locked in their car. Disney, though, said it was exempt from the new law and its 62,000 employees needed to keep their guns at home.

Friday, a worker who protested the park’s decision told Channel 9 he was suspended.

The worker was well aware that he could end up losing his job when he took the gun to work Friday morning, but said that the principle at stake means enough to him that he was willing to take the risk, especially on the day we celebrate the country and our freedoms.

As he pulled into work, Edwin Sotomayor recorded Sheriff’s Deputies and Disney managers waiting for him. After he refused a car search, managers drove Sotomayor to their offices, questioned him further and then sent him to his normal post. Four hours into his shift, Sotomayor says he was suspended.

Disney told employees it is exempt from the new law that allows them to bring a gun to work, because it stores fireworks on site.

Disney told Channel 9 he was suspended because he wouldn’t cooperate with their investigation. They also said he could be fired for carrying the gun, which he says is about safety on his ride to work.

Sotomayor says he’s willing to be the test case for the new law, even if it means losing his job and going to work.

Disney is investigating the case internally. While Disney employee files are confidential, sources day Sotomayor has been disciplined by Disney in the past. Sotomayor insists he is testing this law on his own and hasn’t been contacted by groups like the NRA.
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