© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.

Bill to Allow Guns on University Campuses Moves Forward

MGN Online

A bill that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns on state university campuses is advancing in the Legislature.

The Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted 3-2 on Wednesday in favor of the bill.

The vote came after testimony from people with strong opinions on both sides of the issue.

Opponents said allowing guns in an atmosphere that is often stressful is a mistake. They also said campuses are among the safest places in the country, so there's no need to add guns.

But supporters said people have a constitutional right to carry guns to protect themselves. They also argued that people who have been licensed to carry guns very rarely use them to commit a crime.

A similar bill has failed the last two regular legislative sessions.