TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Floridians can now look forward to another fight over gun laws in the state. Lawmakers have already proposed bringing back the bill that would allow guns on college campuses statewide.
The proposed bill would allow permitted students to carry guns to and from class on college campuses in Florida. It will once again be considered by the state legislature.
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Rep. Greg Steube filed the bill to be considered for 2016's legislative session.
"How very likely something like this can happen on a college campus, and you have no one there that is a law-abiding citizen to protect themselves," Steube said.
Campus police chiefs opposed the bill last year and plan to speak against it again.
The National Rifle Association is backing the bill. Lobbyist Marion Hammer says opponents are using anecdotal evidence to support their arguments.
"Those opponents who don't have facts on their side resort to that kind of emotional debate," Hammer said. "They cannot document that that is a problem in any of the nine states that currently allow guns on campus."
The bill's sponsor says high-profile national shooting incidents at National Guard recruiting centers and movie theaters give the proposal more grounds to be considered.
"I don't think I should not be able to defend myself just because I'm on a college campus and not at a restaurant or a mall or shopping plaza or anywhere else in our state that allows concealed carry permit-holders to carry," Steube said.
An additional bill that would allow K-12 public schools to arm a designated employee was proposed again for the 2016 session.