Georgia Pacific: Palatka plant exempt from gun law
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --Georgia Pacific's paper mill in Palatka is joining two Orlando theme parks which claim they are exempt from a new state law allowing employees to keep their guns in their cars at work.
Georgia Pacific told its 1,000 workers in Palatka that the Department of Homeland Security is the reason its employees are prohibited from bringing guns to work, said Jeremy Alexander, a company spokesman.
Marion Hammer, past national president of the National Rifle Association, said the exemption is "ludicrous," adding "they cut down trees and make toilet paper."
But Alexander said, "It doesn't have anything to do with our products."
The explanation for the homeland security exemption is that the plant receives large amounts of oil, which are brought in by barge up the St. Johns River into Rice Creek, he said. Palatka is about 50 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
That means the plant is subject to the Maritime Security Act and its facility security plan, which bans guns at the plant and in the parking lot. The plan is approved by the Department of Homeland Security, he said.
The company sent out an internal memo on July 1, reminding employees of its weapons policies, the same day a new state law went into effect allowing most employees to keep their weapons in their cars, although there are several exemptions.
"We've had a policy for several years," Alexander said. "This is nothing new."
Alexander said several other Georgia Pacific facilities in the state are not exempt from the new law.
But Hammer said their explanation is wrong.
"Toilet paper does not come before the Second Amendment," said Hammer, referring to the U.S. Constitution's protection of gun ownership.
Hammer said many employees at the plant are hunters who carry their guns with them so they can go hunting before and after work. She also said the mill is in a rural area and workers have a right to protect themselves when they travel to and from work.
The new law is being challenged in federal court in Tallahassee by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation, who believes it compromises safety. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle heard arguments against the law in late June, but has not ruled.
At the hearing, Hinkle said the law is so badly written it's "stupid."
Walt Disney World said its theme parks and parking lots are exempt from the state law, which has a loophole for employers who have permits to handle explosives. Disney has a permit for its fireworks shows.
"The exemption is clear," said Zoraya Suarez, a Disney spokeswoman. Disney maintains a zero tolerance policy on gun crimes and workplace violence.
And there's another reason.
"We don't want to compromise the safety of our guests and cast members at the Walt Disney resort."
Disney fired security guard Edwin Sotomayor on July 8 when he declined to let Disney authorities search his car. The 36-year-old told local media he planned to challenge Disney's claim of an exemption by having a gun locked in his car when he reported to work at Animal Kingdom.
Disney said the policy does not affect its guests who are legally carrying guns in their cars.
Universal Studios in Orlando has said it is exempt because it has a public school on its property. Calls to Universal were not returned.
The new law exempts schools, nuclear power plants, correctional institutions, national defense, aerospace and homeland security installations; property where combustible or explosive materials are manufactured, used, stored or transported; a motor vehicle leased or rented by a public or private employer and areas in which a firearm is a violation of state or federal laws. 