Phil Ammann
Next week, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a pair of controversial gun bills to address issues such as weapons on college campuses and the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit during mandatory emergency evacuations.
The bills, SB 176 from Baker Republican Sen. Greg Evers and SB 290 from Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, are on the schedule for Feb. 16, according to the published meeting notice. Evers chairs the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
If passed, SB 176 would allow individuals with concealed weapons licenses to carry guns in colleges and universities. Fueling the debate was a November shooting incident at Florida State University that resulted in three people wounded and the gunman killed by Tallahassee police.
At the same time, SB 290 seeks to allow Floridians to carry guns without a concealed weapons license during times of mandatory emergency evacuations.
A similar bill filed by Brandes last year died after intense opposition from Florida Sheriffs.
