A bill to allow college students to carry concealed weapons on campus took center stage at the Senate Higher Education meeting on Monday, passing through the committee by a vote of 6-3 on party lines.
SB 176, sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, has already shaped up to be one of the most controversial bills of the 2015 legislative session, bringing psychologists, gun rights activists, students, parents and law enforcement officers voicing their support and concerns over the bill.
The legislation would lift the ban on carrying concealed weapons at state colleges and universities for students 21 and up.
Monday’s meeting primarily revolved around a back and forth between supporters and opponents of the legislation.
Committee members heard spirited testimony from Florida State University students, some of whom explained the issue of carrying guns on campus was a top priority for their fellow classmates.
“There is a general frustration by students right now that they’re not being heard on this issue,” said Harrison DuBosar, an FSU law student and director at the FSU Student Government Association’s office of governmental affairs. “This is our No. 1 student concern on campus right now.”
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