Since the university-wide weapon policy was updated on Jan. 3, allowing guns to be stored in cars on campus, Lt. Reggie Oliver, of USF St. Petersburg police services, has dealt with what he calls “overreaction” from students.
He is often asked why the school would allow weapons on campus. In response, Oliver stresses the policy change only applies to possession of firearms stored in cars # guns still cannot be carried on campus.
“People reading the articles or listening to the media think they can carry a weapon on their person,” Oliver said. “That is a misconception.”
The policy change was a response to a December 2013 court decision.
Alexandria Lainez, a student at the University of North Florida and a single mother, felt UNF’s gun policy caused her to “choose between her family’s safety and her education on a daily basis while attending college,” according to Florida Carry Inc.’s website. Lainez and Florida Carry, an organization supporting gun rights, sued UNF, prompting state public universities to amend their policies on guns. The ruling allowed guns to be stored in students’ cars while on campus.
Florida State University also revised its gun policies. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the University of Central Florida and Florida International University are in the process of changing theirs as well.
Opinions on the policy change vary at USFSP.
Keoma Gilmore, a freshman, agrees with the change.
“I think people should be allowed to protect themselves,” she said.
But for sophomore Josiah Delatorre, the idea of fellow students carrying guns in their cars is less reassuring.
“I understand it’s normal to allow guns in a car,” Delatorre said. “I don’t think a university is the most appropriate environment to allow that.” He cited that the university is a public institution, and he said universities should use the same standard with guns as they do with drugs and other objects considered illegal.
The Crow’s Nest talked to several students who were unaware of the change as well.
In order to keep guns in their cars, students must comply with the Florida State Statute, which outlines rules for guns stored in cars on public property. Guns must be out of sight and kept securely in a holster designed for the gun, in a locked area like a glove box or in a secured trunk separate from the vehicle. Students must also have the correct permit for the weapon.
Oliver said the change will not greatly affect police operations. If necessary, they will respond to calls about policy violations, such as if a gun is spotted in plain view. Oliver said campus police have never received reports of weapons in plain sight in the past.
On Jan. 10, Florida Carry filed a lawsuit against the University of Florida for failing to do more than add an “intent” footnote to the bottom of its current gun policy. Florida Carry is suing UF to allow guns in cars as well as dorm rooms, citing District of Columbia v. Heller, which ruled the banning of firearms from homes as unconstitutional.
“The fact that state housing facilities run by Florida Universities continue to deprive law abiding adults of their fundamental right to keep and bear arms in their homes, years after the clear decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court that such bans are unconstitutional, is unconscionable,” Florida Carry said in a news release on its website.
Justice Libby, a sophomore, said she is conflicted about her feelings on allowing guns in dorms. Dorms are public, not private, places, Libby said. But she also considers dorms as homes.
“I’m trying to weigh both sides,” she said.
Oliver did not give an opinion on how a ruling in Florida Carry’s favor would affect USFSP law enforcement.
Tell us what you think: Should students be able to store guns in cars while on campus? What about in their dorm rooms? Leave a comment below.
Understanding how to properly handle and store a firearm is of most important . Owners of firearms are not always doing what they should , therefore there is a great problem on this issue. Just like anybody can have a child,that doesn’t make them a great parent. We should be able to use common sense and know how to make the best decision for ourselves.My opinion on this is not an answer today, but rather to the firearm owner and their knowledge of how much they can be responsible for the gun they carry. If it is stolen,will they take the responsibility? Used in a holdup? A murder? If not,then leave the firearm for a responsible,knowledgeable person who will. So, yes I agree to those terms and therefore I believe that I should be able to keep my firearm within my personal property.