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Universal Studios Also Claiming It's Exempt From 'Guns At Workplace' Law

Posted: 5:08 pm EDT July 14, 2008Updated: 5:44 pm EDT July 14, 2008

First, it was Disney. Now the controversy over a new state law that allows people to carry guns to work is impacting Universal Studios. Last week, a Disney fired a worker who brought a gun to work (read report). Now the story is getting even bigger.


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The Attorney General's Office is now looking into more than 200 complaints against several companies, including Universal and Disney.

Universal has a work study program with the Orange County School District. Eleventh and 12th graders go to school there half a day and work there half a day. Schools are exempt from the new gun law, so Universal says the entire theme park is too, even though it only has 45 students.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has received numerous complaints from workers at Disney and Universal who claim their rights are being violated. Eyewitness News has learned Attorney General Bill McCollum is now investigating both companies to see if they are in fact exempt from the new state gun law.

While employees are being told to keep their guns at home, the law allows guests at both theme parks to keep guns locked in their cars. The NRA says employees should be able to protect themselves too.

"These corporate giants have no respect for the constitution. They have no respect for their employees and they obviously don't care about safety of their employees," said Marion Hammer, NRA.

If the attorney general sides with the NRA and determines Universal and Disney are breaking the law, both companies could be fined. The attorney general would not say how much or when he will make a final decision.

Another Florida company is also claiming it's exempt from the state's new gun law. A Georgia Pacific paper plant claims it doesn't have to follow the law because it imports fuel oil for its production. The NRA says that's ridiculous.

"For crying out loud, they cut down trees and they make toilet paper and that's homeland security? Excuse me, the lives of the hardworking men and women at that plant are far more important than toilet paper," Hammer said.

Georgia Pacific says it's required to file a security plan to the Federal Department of Homeland Security every year.

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