Florida lawmaker: Airport shooting shows need to repeal gun-free zones
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A state lawmaker said Friday that the shooting at the Fort Lauderdale airport, in which five people were killed and eight injured, makes the case for his efforts to eliminate gun-free zones in Florida.
Republican state Sen. Greg Steube, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is the sponsor of a bill that would eliminate most gun-free zones in Florida. The proposal allows concealed-weapons-permit holders to openly carry handguns in most public places, including airport passenger terminals.
“My first thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims,” Steube said Friday night. “But this goes back to the fact why I’ve been working against gun-free zones for the past three years.”
In that time, Steube said, Florida has experienced shootings at Florida State University in Tallahassee, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and now at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
“Gun-free zones don’t prevent criminals from breaking the law and killing innocent victims,” Steube. “All that law did was prevent law-abiding citizens who have a concealed-carry permit from carrying their firearm in defense of themselves and others.”
Army vet opens fire at Fort Lauderdale airport, kills 5, injures 8
State records indicate Florida has issued 1.67 million concealed-weapons licenses. Steube’s measure would allow permit holders to carry guns on university campuses, into elementary and secondary schools and while attending legislative meetings.
It has drawn opposition from all of the state university system presidents, police chiefs and faculty unions and numerous associations.
Florida State University President John Thrasher last year promised to continue his fight against guns on campus. As a state senator in 2014, Thrasher helped killed a bill repealing universities’ gun-free status.
How guns get on planes through checked bags
Groups such Florida Students for Concealed Carry and Second Amendment advocates are supporting Steube’s measure.
Rebekah Hargrove of the FSU chapter said the group is optimistic with Steube’s election to the Senate and his appointment as Judiciary chairman that this is the year Florida will further loosen its gun laws.
The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to take up the measure Tuesday but the meeting was canceled before Friday’s shooting. Steube said he expects to schedule the bill for a hearing when the committee meets Jan. 26.
Follow James Call on Twitter: @CallTallahassee
