Broward Passes Resolution Opposing Concealed Weapons on College Campuses

 

Broward County Commissioners are urging Florida state legislators to reject all bills that would allow guns and other weapons on college campuses.  The resolution adopted today opposes Florida Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 4005, which would allow anyone with a concealed weapons permit to bring concealed weapons on to college campuses.  Commissioner Stacy Ritter brought the issue forward.

“These bills defy logic.  This seems so egregious that I wanted us to vote publicly on this and I would like the Florida Association of Counties to take a stand on this as well,” said Commissioner Ritter.   

The resolution was passed by commissioners today on an eight to one vote with Commissioner Chip LaMarca voting against the item. “Our Second Amendment rights must be protected and preserved at all levels of government. I support the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms as their constitutional right. We must enforce the current gun laws and work to change the culture of v iolence so that we do not have more tragedies in our communities such as those occurred at Florida State University and Virginia Tech.”

The resolution notes that the Board of Governors of Florida’s State University System and all police chiefs of twelve state universities have issued joint statements opposing the bills. Former Florida senator and current Florida State University President John Thrasher also opposes guns on campuses.

“Mr. Thrasher and I may be on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but on this we agree.  He opposed this while serving on the senate and now as FSU President,” said Commissioner Ritter.

The resolution refers to the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 that killed 27 students and five professors, wounding 17 others and the 2014 Florida State University shooting where three people were shot a campus library before the gunman was killed by police. 

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel and Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Franklin Adderley are also named in the resolution as opponents of concealed weapons on college campuses. 

Florida is one of twenty states that ban carrying concealed weapons on college campuses.  Other states banning the practice are California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

Passage of the resolution directs the County Administrator to notify the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, the President of the Florida Senate, the Broward Legislative Delegation, the Florida League of Cities and all Broward cities of the Board’s action.  The Broward Commission also voted to notify the Florida Association Counties. 

 

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:  http://floridapolitics.com/archives/12189

 

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Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in content marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Marketing Management from the University of Florida and a Content Manager Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

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