Wednesday, December 11, 2013

"Gun Bans in Danger": Promises, Promises

December 11, 2013 Inside Higher Education reports on a Florida court of appeals decision that struck down most public college bans on guns on campus:
A divided Florida appeals court ruled Tuesday that public colleges and universities -- except in limited circumstances -- lack the legal right to regulate gun possession on campus.

The ruling came in a case involving a rule at the University of North Florida banning students from keeping guns in their cars. But the appeals court went beyond that rule (which it rejected) to speak more generally to the right of public colleges and universities to limit gun possession on campus, as local news media indicated they do. Under Florida's Constitution, the appeals court found, only the Legislature can make such restrictions, so most rules imposed by public colleges and universities would be invalid.

The university had argued that a specific exemption in Florida law giving school districts the right to regulate guns in their facilities applied to public universities as well. The appeals court rejected that argument, saying that lawmakers specify different types of educational institutions in their regulations, so that references to school districts cannot be assumed to go beyond elementary and secondary education.
I am pleased to see how many of those commenting are smart enough to recognize the absurdity of the "well, if you allow guns on campus, everyone will start shooting each other" claim.  

1 comment:

  1. That would be great news, but Florida law already forbids possession of a firearm at university buildings and university sponsored events.

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