The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg
January 20 - 26, 2014 | Volume 48 | Issue 17
Stay classy with After losing seasons, student-made T’s p. 4 Woolard’s out p. 8
crowsneststpete.com
Gun law prompts distress An update to weapon regulations throughout the USF system allows students to store unloaded guns in their cars while on campus By Jennifer Nesslar Staff Reporter
All guns in cars must be unloaded and stored in a proper holding container when on campus
The Crow’s Nest talked to several students who were unaware of the change as well In order to keep guns in their cars, students must comply with the Florida State statute that outlines rules for guns stored in cars on public property. Guns must be out of sight and kept securely in a holster designed for the gun, in a locked area like a glove box or in a secured trunk separate from the vehicle. Students must also have the correct permit for the weapon. Oliver said the change will not greatly affect police operations. If necessary, they will respond to calls about policy violations, such as if a gun is spotted in plain view. Oliver said campus police have never received reports of weapons in plain sight in the past. On Jan. 10, Florida Carry filed a lawsuit against the University of Florida for failing to do more than add an “intent” footnote to the bottom of its current gun policy. Florida Carry is suing UF to allow guns in cars as well as dorm rooms, citing District of Columbia v. Heller, which ruled the banning of firearms from homes as unconstitutional. “The fact that state housing facilities run by Florida Universities continue to deprive law abiding adults of their fundamental right to keep and bear arms in their homes, years after the clear decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court that such bans are unconstitutional, is unconscionable,” Florida Carry said in a news release on its website. Justice Libby, a sophomore, said she is conflicted about her feelings on allowing guns in dorms. Dorms are public, not private, places, Libby said. But she also considers dorms as homes. “I’m trying to weigh both sides,” she said. Oliver did not give an opinion on how a ruling in Florida Carry’s favor would affect USFSP law enforcement. Tell us what you think: Should students be able to store guns in cars while on campus? What about in their dorm rooms? Find the online version of this story linked to our Facebook or Twitter, or posted on crowsneststpete.com, and leave us a comment. You can also join the conversation by shooting us an email at usfcrowsnest@gmail.com. news@crowsneststpete.com
Guns are also permitted to be stored at university police stations that have proper weapon storage ROTC cadets are permitted real and simulated guns when under supervision and must provide notification to university police Non-functioning antique or display weapons can be used in the classroom with prior approval from administration Students, faculty and staff are allowed to carry selfdefense spray or a stun gun
Graphic by Chelsea Tatham/The Crow’s Nest
Since the university-wide weapon policy was updated on Jan. 3, allowing guns to be stored in cars on campus, Lt. Reggie Oliver, of USF St. Petersburg police services, has dealt with what he calls “overreaction” from students. He is often asked why the school would allow weapons on campus. In response, Oliver stresses the policy change only applies to possession of firearms stored in cars -- guns still cannot be carried on campus. “People reading the articles or listening to the media think they can carry a weapon on their person,” Oliver said. “That is a misconception.” The policy change was a response to a December 2013 court decision. Alexandria Lainez, a student at the University of North Florida and a single mother, felt UNF’s gun policy caused her to “choose between her family’s safety and her education on a daily basis while attending college,” according to Florida Carry Inc.’s website. Lainez and Florida Carry, an organization supporting gun rights, sued UNF, prompting state public universities to amend their policies on guns. The ruling allowed guns to be stored in students’ cars while on campus. Florida State University also revised its gun policies. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the University of Central Florida and Florida International University are in the process of changing theirs as well. Opinions on the policy change vary at USFSP. Keoma Gilmore, a freshman, agrees with the change. “I think people should be allowed to protect themselves,” she said. But for sophomore Josiah Delatorre, the idea of fellow students carrying guns in their cars is less reassuring. “I understand it’s normal to allow guns in a car,” Delatorre said. “I don’t think a university is the most appropriate environment to allow that.” He cited that the university is a public institution, and universities should use the same standard with guns as they do with drugs and other objects considered illegal.
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