HB 4001, sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota
Campus carry is once again inching its way to the Florida Legislature after passing through the House Higher Education and Workforce Subcommittee Wednesday by a vote of 10-3.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA (SunshineStateNews.com)– Campus carry is once again inching its way to the Florida Legislature after passing through the House Higher Education and Workforce Subcommittee Wednesday by a vote of 10-3.
HB 4001, sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would allow anyone 21 and older with a Florida concealed carry permit to bring their weapons onto public college and university campuses.
Greg Steube
“I feel that concealed permit carry holders…[are] a pretty law abiding bunch and I’m pretty comfortable with their ability to carry and follow the law,” Steube explained to committee members.
Debate over campus carry has been intense since the bill’s introduction, with Wednesday’s meeting unfolding in a similar fashion. Students, law enforcement officers and gun rights groups to voice their opinions and concerns on the legislation.
Perhaps the largest student-led group supporting the legislation, Florida Students for Concealed Carry, came out in full force to explain to state lawmakers why the bill was necessary for student safety on college campuses.
Rebekah Hargrove, president of Students for Concealed Carry at Florida State University, said concealed carry permit holders are well-trained in gun safety and should be allowed to have the freedom to exercise both their constitutional rights and their own freedoms.
