ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Walt Disney World has fired a guard who challenged the theme park on a new state law allowing gun owners to keep firearms in their cars while at work.

Disney World believes it is exempt from the law, which has a loophole for employers who have permits to handle explosives. Disney has a permit for its fireworks shows.

Security guard Edwin Sotomayor was terminated Monday after declining to let Disney authorities search his car late last week. The 36-year-old had 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 Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez has said the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy for employees who bring guns onto the property.

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Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com

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