TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A new bill filed in the Florida Senate would allow certain employees, faculty and students at public universities and colleges to open carry on campus.
If passed, certain people would be allowed to open carry a handgun or carry a concealed weapon on campus.
The bill aims to amend a current statute surrounding carrying weapons on college campuses.
Under the bill, an employee of a faculty member of a college or university who is not a registered student of the college would be able to carry weapons on campus. Additionally, a registered student who is an employee or faculty member performing the duties of their position as a university employee may carry.
More Florida politics:
Another part of the bill would make it a second degree felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school, during school hours or during the time of a school activity. Those arrested for the crime would be held in custody until granted bail.
The bill would also require the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors to adopt rules and regulations for emergency response, and schools to adopt specific training and threat management processes.
A companion bill was filed in the Florida House.
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