A bill to allow guns on college campuses is slowly weaving its way through the Florida Legislature, and the proposal is already the subject of intense debate even before the 2016 regular session kicks off.
The bill, HB 4001, would allow anyone 21 and older with a valid Florida Concealed Weapons or Firearm License to carry their guns at public universities and college campuses.
The proposal is an effort from Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, and Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, both of whom sponsored the same legislation last year.
Steube and Evers say public safety is the first and foremost reason why the bill should be made law in the Sunshine State. Supporters of the legislation say allowing concealed weapons on college campuses would allow gun holders to defend themselves against attackers on college campuses. They believe the bill is especially important for young women who are more likely to be the victims of violence and sexual assault during college.
Opponents of the bill, contend, however, that putting guns into an already stressful environment could have disastrous consequences, only adding onto the possibility of more gun violence in public places.
On Tuesday, a group of four House Democrats with law enforcement backgrounds gathered for a press conference to voice their opposition to the bill, saying they were concerned about the lack of standards listed in the legislation for those with concealed weapons.
“The fact that the state of Florida is legitimately considering these concepts is frightening to me,” said Rep. Dave Kerner, D-Lake Worth.
Other lawmakers opposed to the legislation said it would be dangerous for the public.
“We don’t need to put more guns out on the street,” said retired police officer Rep. Victor Torres, D-Orlando.
Gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association have come out in full support of the bill, saying it’s necessary to protect the most vulnerable on college campuses since survivors of sexual assault are more likely to drop out of college.
“The plain truth is campuses are not safe,” wrote lobbyist and former NRA president Marion Hammer. “They are ‘Gun-Free-Zones’ where murderers, rapists, terrorists, and robbers may commit crimes without fear of being harmed by their victims.”
Hammer pointed to Florida Department of Law Enforcement data which showed hundred of sexual offenders living close to Florida’s college campuses, creating the possibility of more incidents of sexual assault on college campuses.
Should Florida pass the campus carry bill, it would join several other states allowing concealed weapons on college campuses. Earlier this year, Texas passed legislation to allow campus carry. Other states like Utah, Idaho and Mississippi explicitly allow campus carry by law.
Each meeting discussing the legislation has been full of intense debate from both sides of the aisle. Some student groups in support of the legislation, like Florida Students for Concealed Carry, have even offered to pay for rental cars for those interested in attending and speaking at the committee meetings.
Supporters of the bill say a dislike or fear of guns isn’t a reason to keep them from American citizens with constitutional rights.
“Simply not liking guns, not trusting students, and not respecting the constitutional rights of others is not a legitimate reason to prohibit fundamental freedoms,” wrote Marion Hammer.
