Hernando Commission: County employees with concealed-carry permits can bring guns to work

BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Commission on Tuesday voted to change its security policy, and will allow employees to bring guns to work if they have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Questions arose about liability and about county employee knowledge of concealed-carry rules. Three people spoke in favor of allowing employees to carry guns, and one spoke against it.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the policy change.

The idea came from commission Chairman Steve Champion, an outspoken gun advocate and owner of American Gun and Pawn in Brooksville. He regularly argues against local rules that impose more regulations on Hernando County than state law requires.

He wants to protect employees' Second Amendment rights, he said.

"Why do we want to restrict our law-abiding citizens?'' Champion asked. Employees will have to abide by state law, which prohibits guns in the Hernando County Government Center, schools, public government meeting locations, police and sheriffs offices, and airports.

The county does not keep track of how many of its employees have permits to carry a concealed weapon, officials said.

A number of Florida counties have passed similar policies this year.

News researcher John Martin contributed to this report.