BUZZ
Second Amendment group says law doesn’t go far enough in protecting individuals’ right to carry
A Florida law that allows trained university employees to carry guns on campus does not have any participants yet – a fact that prompted criticism this week from both sides of the Second Amendment debate.
The Florida Moms Demand Action, a gun control group, reported Monday that “not a single college or university” has opted into the program so far.
Meanwhile, only one school, the University of South Florida, told the Florida Phoenix that it is considering participating.
The law, which went into effect in May, expands Florida’s School Guardian Program by allowing public college and university presidents to designate faculty and staff to be trained to carry concealed firearms on campus.
To qualify, employees must complete 144 hours of training, as well as drug tests and psychological evaluations, according to the Phoenix. The program also is in K-12 schools.
However, a Second Amendment advocate expressed frustration that the law only allows some citizens to exercise their right to carry on college campuses.
“We view HB 757 as a fake campus carry bill. We demanded real campus carry and got an expansion of the Guardian program instead, which is a dog-and-pony show by squishy Republicans,” Luis Valdes with Gun Owners of America and Fuerza 2A told the Phoenix.
“Why should their Second Amendment rights disappear on college campuses?” Valdes said. “Gun-free zones do not stop criminals. Law-abiding students, faculty, and staff must be able to defend themselves without waiting for a university’s permission.”
But the new state law also has its critics. Florida Moms Demand Action has been tracking participation in the Guardian program, the Phoenix reports:
Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, said students, staff, and families made it clear as the bill was being debated in committee meetings that they didn’t want more guns on university campuses.
“That’s why not one school has opted into this program,” she said. “The people have spoken. Now lawmakers need to listen. This November, voters will remember who catered to the gun lobby and who stood up for the safety of our communities.”
Currently, 13 states allow adults to carry guns on public college campuses with few restrictions, according to Stateline.
Earlier this year, Utah passed a law that “allows an individual 21 years old or older to conceal a dangerous weapon at an institution of higher education without a concealed carry permit.”
However, similar bills in several other states this year, including one introduced by a college student in New Hampshire, failed to pass.
MORE: States consider expanding campus carry laws, reigniting college gun debate
