Florida State Sen. Evers Backs Guns on Campuses

Florida Republican state Sen. Greg Evers proposed a new law that would allow concealed weapons license holder to carry their guns on college campuses, the Pensacola News Journal reported Wednesday. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee postponed taking action Tuesday on a bill that would allow licensed gun holders to carry their guns in plain view.

A provision of that bill includes carrying guns on campuses, which is currently not permitted.

Evers told the newspaper the bill is a way to improve safety.

"With all the incidents that happen on college campuses, with all the rapes and everything that goes on there, giving the ability of folks to protect themselves, actually, it's just a safety issue, for their protection," Evers said.

Texas is considering similar legislation. Utah is the only state that allows legal guns on college campuses.

Opponents of the bill don’t see the need for it.

"We don't think allowing more guns on campus will make it safer," University of West Florida Police Chief John Warren told the newspaper. "We are an education facility, and we should be concentrating on education."