Allow Concealed Weapons to be carried on Florida College Campuses

We at the University of South Florida do not feel secure on campus, nor in the surrounding areas. Already, three students have been raped in the 2012/13 academic year, and considering only about one-third of rapes are reported, there have most certainly been more.

These students were unable to defend themselves from their attackers due to current Florida law banning the carrying of firearms for self-defense on college campuses. Students are also at the mercy from other criminals that abide by no laws and carry guns onto these campuses to commit heinous crimes here and across the state, such as the recent tragedy at the University of Central Florida. Conceal and carry laws have been effective in deterring criminals from committing these crimes.

We have seen gun violence drop by a third between 2007 and 2011 due to more people obtaining and being allowed to carry concealed firearms. We at the University of South Florida request that, given the existing data and our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, existing Florida gun laws be extended to all Florida college campuses to allow students to carry concealed firearms onto these campuses.