TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida Senate bill that would have allowed concealed carry on college and university campuses was voted down in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Senate Bill 814, introduced by Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne Beach), failed in a 3-4 vote.
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The three supporting votes came from Republicans Joe Gruters, Clay Yarborough, and Committee Chair Jonathan Martin.
Opposing votes came from Senators Ileana Garcia (R), Mack Bernard (D), Jason W. B. Pizzo (D), and Vice Chair Carlos Guillermo Smith (D).
The bill aimed to remove restrictions preventing individuals from carrying concealed firearms on college campuses. It also included a provision allowing universities to designate certain areas as “sensitive” locations, prohibiting weapons in those spaces with approval from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Fine has argued that gun-free zones create a “false sense of security” and cited campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict as part of his motivation for the legislation.
However, some students and opponents have voiced concerns over safety and the presence of law enforcement already on campuses.
With the committee’s unfavorable vote, the bill has been tabled, effectively suspending consideration of its progress this session.
