Alabama Mandate to Force All Citizens to Carry Guns to Work
By Garrett Baldwin
BIRMINGHAM — A controversial new law has passed the Alabama legislature that will force all citizens to carry guns into work environments that the state government considers “dangerous.”
“David’s Law” would require that all citizens purchase, secure, and train with a gun in order to reduce workplace violence. The proposed law is named after David Foster, a 32-year-old construction worker who fell from a ladder and plummeted six stories to his death.
“If David had had a gun on him, he certainly would not have died that day,” said Republican State Congressman Albert Wilcraft. “In dangerous work environments, it’s important that people are armed and prepared for anything.”
But Democrats are reacting with anger in response to the law. All Alabama citizens would be required by law to purchase a gun and carry it with them, even if they are morally opposed to weapons.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Debbie Wellbright, a senior director and doctor at the Birmingham Planned Parenthood Center. “I absolutely hate guns, and I refuse to have the government tell me that I have to buy one. This violates my personal liberties and beliefs. I don’t know who these people think they are.”
Republicans, however, state the contrary; in particular, Congressman Wilcraft noted that Wellbright would be far more secure when she goes to work and that this mandate improves her safety. “Abortion doctors are obviously in danger given the threats that they receive. If we can just make them carry guns to work, then they will definitely be able to stave off these threats.”
Wellbright doesn’t buy it. “Yes, there are risks to everything, but I can look out for myself. I’m 35.” It was a bit of an unusual answer from Wellbright, who didn’t quite see the difference between a Republican mandate on guns and, say, a Democratic mandate on healthcare.
When asked why she would be against this mandate but not opposed to the federal government ‘s mandate for religious organizations to pay for contraception and services related to her place of business, Wellbright zoned out for 30 seconds, spun around in a circle, and fell to the ground.
“I guess I never really thought about it until it personally impacted me,” Wellbright said after she returned to consciousness. “Why would the government force people to violate their moral beliefs?”
Stocks of gun companies soared on Friday after the news, similar to the way in which companies that make contraception and the “Morning After” pill responded to Obama’s controversial healthcare policy forcing employers to cover these costs.
The State Senate has scheduled to begin its debate on the issue next week.
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Posted by Garrett Baldwin
on Feb 10 2012. Filed under Administration.
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