Florida Campus Carry Goes To The House, Being Held Up In Senate — Isn’t It Time Yet To REMOVE Imaginary Lines?

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — From the land of oranges and sunshine comes yet another House Bill set to give concealed carriers the right to carry onto university campuses.  We’ve discussed the opponents to this bill in previous articles.  Needless to say, it’s ready to go but it’s still being contested by parties disinterested in the idea of the right to bear arms.

According to CBS, the Florida House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 4001 (HB 4001) in a 13-5 vote.  The bill was proposed by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota.  It initially had overwhelming support in both the House and Senate, though it had yet to hit the floor.  Similar measures have made it to the floor and died but this one looks like it’s gained enough attention and steam to hopefully make a break to the governor’s desk.

via CBS

A similar measure died during the 2015 session after not getting through the [Senate] Judiciary Committee. At the time, Diaz de la Portilla said he decided to scuttle the measure after polling members of the Senate and finding a lack of support for the bill…

The Senate’s version of the bill, SB 68, has yet to pass the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee.  Just like most other states, a bill has to make it’s way through both the House and Senate before being passed to the governor’s desk.  Once there, it’s enacted into law and concealed carriers, once again, may have the opportunity to protect themselves in more places.

Thankfully, this time, more veterans and those trained in the use of firearms — many of whom are also college students — are stepping up to discuss this issue with Florida politicians.

“The fact that people would disarm somebody who is trained and responsible enough to carry a gun in public everyday, but when they cross the campus line, some kind of imaginary line, all of a sudden they’re not anymore, that just blows my mind,” Angelo Canevari, a University of Florida student and member of the National Guard, told the committee.

Those opposing the bill are largely saying concealed carriers, who are also students and faculty, are a small minority.

“On this policy issue, it’s very clear that nobody wants this save for some very passionate students that have come before us,” Rep. Dave Kerner, D-Lake Worth, said. “There is no groundswell of support for this bill.”

Hopefully, that remains to be seen.