[barnetmill]

I am a new member and I just ran a search and could not find an answer to the following specific questions.

I work at a State University in Florida and know that concealed carry is not legal outside of my car while on the campus.
My question is can guns be stored in the trunk of my car while it parked and/or while driving on university property?

Also can guns be kept in the passenger's compartment. Several of us have concealed carry licenses and we all assume that a gun can not be present in the car while it is on university property.

Can anyone in this forum elaborate on this?

 

[flccnp]

This is the closest I've found.

"For the purposes of this section, “school” means any preschool, elementary school, middle school, junior high school, secondary school, career center, or postsecondary school, whether public or nonpublic. "

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Web/Statutes/FS07/ch0790/Section_0790.115.HTM

(2)(a) A person shall not possess any firearm, electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon as defined in s. 790.001(13), ... on the property of any school...; however, a person may carry a firearm:

3. In a vehicle pursuant to s. 790.25(5); except that school districts may adopt written and published policies that waive the exception in this subparagraph for purposes of student and campus parking privileges.

 

[deadeyedick]

I know this doesn't constitute legal advice, but I'd think that if you don't advertise the fact that you have weapon secured in your vehicle while at work, it won't ever be an issue. Just my .02

 

[barnetmill]

Thanks flccnp: I did see that, but it is not completely clear. The way I read the law is once the car is on university property your Concealed weapons license does not apply, but what you have in the car is covered by the basic weapons law that allows cased firearms that are not immediately accessible. But I am not absolutely sure.

 

[Steve48]

Why not just ask the school administrators? Then post what they say here. I'm sure a lot of other people will be interested.

 

[flccnp]

Why not just ask the school administrators? Then post what they say here. I'm sure a lot of other people will be interested.

A) I'm not sure the "skool" admins will know the laws.

B) The way I read this, the school district makes the rules, not the college admins. He would have to ask the school district. The college admins may not be aware of the school districts decision.

Hey, I know it doesn't make sense but that's the way I read the law. The school district makes the decision for all schools in the district.

 

[Steve48]

Hopefully the school administrators would at least know the rules published by their own district, even if they don't know the laws. But you're right. Going straight to the district would be more to the point.

 

[OrlandoDriver]

Hopefully the school administrators would at least know the rules published by their own district, even if they don't know the laws. But you're right. Going straight to the district would be more to the point.

Don't be surprised at the answer you get cause may be one sided and what they say may not be what you wanna here or just as FL said they may not be well versed hey some LEOs aren't even well versed on the firearms laws sad but true.
But you also have this Statute:F.S. 790.115 it is a school or school property.

Abstract: 790.115 Possessing or discharging weapons or firearms at a school-sponsored event or on school property prohibited; penalties; exceptions. 790.001(13), including a razor blade, box cutter, or common pocketknife, except as authorized in support of school-sanctioned activities, in the presence of one or more persons in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner and not in lawful self-defense, at a school-sponsored event or on the grounds or facilities of any school, school bus, or school ...

 

[deadeyedick]

Why not just ask the school administrators? Then post what they say here. I'm sure a lot of other people will be interested.

I'd be willing to bet that no matter what the law says, the school admins will say "nope, not allowed, period."

A) I'm not sure the "skool" admins will know the laws.

B) The way I read this, the school district makes the rules, not the college admins. He would have to ask the school district. The college admins may not be aware of the school districts decision.

Hey, I know it doesn't make sense but that's the way I read the law. The school district makes the decision for all schools in the district.

I am fairly certain that local school disctricts have no authority over any university, whether state or private.

 

[barnetmill]

I probably need to get a written opinion from some state source since it seems that the law is not crystal clear here.

The do not ask do not tell policy does have some problems. If you regularly leave anything in your car with time it may be found out. You car could be broken into; or you get in an accident. Some one asks you to transport something. I am not being threatened by anyone but would like to have a gun around when driving home in the evening.

 

[flccnp]

I am fairly certain that local school disctricts have no authority over any university, whether state or private.

I know it doesn't make sense, I'm guessing it was an oversight when they wrote the law, but it sounds like they have authority when it comes to this one specific area.

 

[OLDJEEP813]

The best way to be sure is to ask a lawyer that's familar with firearms law here in Florida. Personnally I would E-mail this question to Mr. Gutmacher, with the new law enabling guns at work there may not be anything that the schools can say. Go to his website: www.FloridaFirearmsLaw.com
and ask

 

[barnetmill]

The best way to be sure is to ask a lawyer that's familar with firearms law here in Florida. Personnally I would E-mail this question to Mr. Gutmacher, with the new law enabling guns at work there may not be anything that the schools can say. Go to his website: www.FloridaFirearmsLaw.com
and ask

I did visit the website and it appears one is suppose to read his book first "Florida Firearms -- Law, Use & Ownership".

thanks for the information.

 

[deadeyedick]

I know it doesn't make sense, I'm guessing it was an oversight when they wrote the law, but it sounds like they have authority when it comes to this one specific area.

Nope...public universities in Florida fall under the regulatory control of the Florida Board of Governors. They are not subject to the authority of any local district education board, nor are private colleges. The University of Florida, for example, is not subject to any rules established by the Alachua County School Board.

 

[OLDJEEP813]

I did visit the website and it appears one is suppose to read his book first "Florida Firearms -- Law, Use & Ownership".

thanks for the information.

Since the law is new and not covered in the book send an E-mail and see what kinda answer you get

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

Universities are not 'schools' as deadeyedick points out.

The law prohibits weapons in university/college 'facilities' (read: buildings), not 'property', as applies to schools. Parking lots are not 'facilities'.

Draw your own conclusions, but I sure wouldn't be asking the administration a damn thing.

 

[jbagwell3408]

Has anyone come up with a definitive answer to this question? I'm a student at HCC and was planning on keeping my firearm secured in my vehicle while in class.

 

[deadeyedick]

HCC's student handbook makes no mention of firearms at all, and the statute only addresses actual concealed carry on a college campus, so I think you're OK to keep a gun locked in your vehicle. The odds of it being discovered in the first place are infinitesimally low.

 

[barnetmill]

HCC's student handbook makes no mention of firearms at all, and the statute only addresses actual concealed carry on a college campus, so I think you're OK to keep a gun locked in your vehicle. The odds of it being discovered in the first place are infinitesimally low.

No has posted a definitive answer yet. I agree with your conclusion, but I am not going to risk being wrong.
It is question of risk assessment. What are my odds of needing the gun between campus and my home or elsewhere versus getting caught with it? I am male, do not look rich, and do not appear to be an easy mark. If I was threated by some issue than my actions could different.
You are never completely safe whether you have a gun or not.

 

[Johnny Z]

Catch 22?

This is the type of situation that really upsets me. We are charged with obeying the law, yet we cannot find the damned laws. If we do find them, they must be interpreted. So do we hire an attorney to walk next to us 24 hours a day? Then, the attorney can only present an opinion that must be argued in a court of law to get the real answer. From there, the determination can be appealled.

We can never be sure if we are actually law-abiding citizens, and can be arrested or charged with a felony even after making extensive efforts to find out how to behave lawfully. Laws also change. A lot of law is simply hearsay. Ask the police department, and they give you the wrong answer (based upon one specific personal experience regarding tresspassing)

Sorry to rant, but if ignorance of the law is no excuse, 99% of the country has no excuse.