TexasCHLforum.com

FT. MYERS, Fla. - A fledgling student organization at Florida Gulf Coast University wants to change state law to allow students to conceal and carry on campus. That move has many of you sounding off.

Students are trying to start the Eagles for Concealed Carry group on campus. Many of you have different views on this controversial topic, both for and against.

Damian Clegg writing on our Fox 4 Rising Facebook page: "No schools should allow anyone adults or children to carry weapons of any sort."
Joseph Tulanowski also writing in: "If done properly yes. Well educated gun owners are not the ones who do these mass shootings."

But we're also hearing from you on our Viewer's Voice line.

In 2011, 18 states introduced legislation to allow concealed carry weapons on campus in some regard. Two bills passed, one in Mississippi and one in Wisconsin. The Mississippi legislation creates an exception to allow those who have taken a voluntary course on safe handling and use of firearms by a certified instructor to carry on campuses. The Wisconsin legislation creates a provision that colleges and universities must allow concealed carry on campus grounds, however, campuses can prohibit weapons from campus buildings if signs are posted at every entrance explicitly stating that weapons are prohibited. In 2012, 16 states introduced legislation to allow concealed carry - two bills are still pending and all others have failed to pass.

In 2012, 3 states introduced legislation to prohibit concealed carry weapons on campus. None of these bills passed.

In the United States, 49 out of 50 states have concealed carry weapons laws. Currently, there are 21 states that ban carrying a concealed weapon on a college campus: Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

In 24 states the decision to ban or allow concealed carry weapons on campuses is made by each college or university individually: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

Due to recent state legislation and court rulings, 5 states now have provisions allowing the carrying of concealed weapons on public postsecondary campuses. These states are Colorado, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Majek wrote:As a CHL holder, and college student, I feel like Universities offering the ability to grant permission to carry is a trap. Ive thought about asking to be able to carry on campus (in the buildings) but never do as I feel that would be a great opportunity for these officials to not only deny me, but possibly say they don't even want me having my firearm on campus at all. Maybe that's an impossibility, but I feel like it would be easy enough for them to say so. Wouldn't it then be a 'verbal or written notice' making it illegal to even have in my vehicle while in the buildings? I would like advice so all comments are welcome.

C-dub wrote:

Majek wrote:As a CHL holder, and college student, I feel like Universities offering the ability to grant permission to carry is a trap. Ive thought about asking to be able to carry on campus (in the buildings) but never do as I feel that would be a great opportunity for these officials to not only deny me, but possibly say they don't even want me having my firearm on campus at all. Maybe that's an impossibility, but I feel like it would be easy enough for them to say so. Wouldn't it then be a 'verbal or written notice' making it illegal to even have in my vehicle while in the buildings? I would like advice so all comments are welcome.

I guess they could give "you" permission, but I highly doubt they would give any individual student permission if they would even give it to anyone. As unlikely as it is at all, it is more likely that they would simply make it a blanket policy that all CHL holders were permitted to carry everywhere on campus.

But, I do agree with your trap theory. That's the same reason I don't ask my employer for permission even though it says it could be granted in our employee handbook.

Majek wrote: Glad to know I'm not completely crazy. The thought only crossed my mind as one of my professors mentioned VERY casually about how she 'carries' and 'don't ask her where'. Guess she didn't think anyone was paying attention, but that sure made my ears perk up. I figured maybe that allowance rule was so they could indeed allow professors or other faculty to carry...but maybe, just maybe it would stretch to students with the courage to ask. I appreciate your comments, and definitely agree with what you're saying. Just something about that professor slipping and saying that really got me thinking.

C-dub wrote:

Majek wrote:

C-dub wrote:

I'm actually a little bit shocked that she said that at all. She might not have permission and that's why she said not to ask her where and has just decided that her life is worth more than her job to her.

Majek wrote:Yea, that's definitely crossed my mind as well. I suppose I could be a test case on the trap theory, but I'd sure hate to lose the few rights I still have on campus.