After weeks of legal review of the policy draft, county commissioners passed the new rule with a 7-0 vote letting workers carry concealed weapons.
BRADENTON, Fla. — In a few weeks, most Manatee County employees won't have to leave their firearms in their personal car or at home when they come to work. Instead, they would be able to bring them into county office buildings and vehicles and carry them around while working.
The county's board of commissioners approved this new policy Tuesday morning in a 7-0 vote.
After weeks of legal review of the policy draft, county leaders passed the new rule letting workers carry concealed weapons.
The board members said they wanted the policy to coincide with the new permitless carry state law that goes into effect next month.
"I am much more concerned about someone who could care less about our policy, who wants to do evil, showing up and no one being able to protect themselves. That concerns me," James Satcher, board member of the Manatee County Commission, said.
County workers, though, remain forbidden to bring weapons into schools, courthouses and polling places and may not openly carry them.
Code enforcement workers are also exempt from the policy and cannot carry weapons on the job.
Commissioners said the policy is about ensuring safety and security and preempting intruders who may have violent intentions.
"If they feel comfortable to arm themselves and it's within their rights and by law, they can. We want them to...
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