Florida Sen. Randy Fine (FL-District 19) filed a bill that would allow students to carry guns on college and university campuses across the state.
The bill filed on Tuesday seeks to amend existing statutes to allow individuals to carry firearms on higher education properties, including dorms and residence halls.
Fine emphasizes that the Second Amendment's protections should extend to college students, stating, "The Second Amendment doesn't take a vacation because you go to college." Fine argues that this legislation would align the rights of individuals on campuses with those off-campus.
Senate Bill 814 states the following:
"Property of any college or university, including, but not limited to, any dormitory or residence hall owned or operated by a college or university, and in any other location he or she is legally authorized to do so."
The bill proposes changes to Florida Statute 790.115 , which currently prohibits the possession of firearms at school-sponsored events or on school property.
According to the Florida Senate, the bill grants the Florida Department of Law Enforcement the authority to designate certain campus facilities or areas as "sensitive locations" during sporting or athletic events, where concealed firearms would be prohibited.
The bill comes after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Fine said he believes universities weren't doing enough to protect their students.
“The Second Amendment does not take the semester off when you step on a college campus,” said Fine in a post on X . “Adults should have the right to protect themselves on campus, particularly after so many universities across America chose to protect Muslim terror advocates over their own students. There is no magic force field that keeps criminals from carrying a gun onto campus; this bill will ensure that students have the same rights on campus as they do off."
A separate bill, HB 759 , was filed by Rep. Michelle Salzman (FL-District 1) which would also lower the minimum age for a person to buy or sell a firearm from 21 to 18.
Historically, Florida has maintained strict regulations against carrying firearms on educational properties.
According to the Florida Senate website, the bill is slated to take effect on July 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.
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