Since campus carry legislation was enacted at universities across Texas, Students for Concealed Carry at the University of Florida is preparing for another semester advocating for concealed carry on college campuses in Florida.
The organization will begin tabling in UF’s Turlington Plaza and hold their first general body meeting September 14, according to the group’s Facebook page.
The focus on concealed carry on college campuses has been renewed since Texas lawmakers approved a law to allow concealed weapons on college and university grounds.
“The new Texas law will permit individuals who have obtained a concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry their loaded, concealed weapon in college and university buildings,” according to Armed Campuses, a project by The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus and The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
Texas is the tenth state to allow permit holders to carry concealed weapons on college campuses, according to Armed Campuses. The legislation was met with backlash from students, faculty and gun control groups as the law went into effect August 1.
Students and faculty protested the issue by carrying sex toys around campus. Carrying sex toys, obscene or sexual objects is a violation of Texas statutes.
Texas students participating in the protest told Fusion News in a video they would be fighting absurdity with absurdity as the new law went into effect.
“It’s a student protest showing if students are allowed to bring guns, then I’m going to bring my dildo,” Ashley Alcantara, of the Texas University Democrats, told Fusion.
“If they (guns and sex toys) are equal, shouldn’t both be allowed?” Stewart said in an interview.
Stewart, 22, has only been involved with the organization for a year but quickly moved into a position of leadership.
The Florida campus carry bill, co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Greg Steube and Democrat Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, passed in the Florida House of Representatives in February. The bill was sent to the Florida Senate, where it died in the Judiciary Committee in March.
“It was through an act of bureaucracy, not democracy, that killed the bill,” Stewart said.
Students for Concealed Carry at UF hopes to make an impact this upcoming legislative session, he said. Not only are their goals to change state legislation to allow concealed weapons on campus, but also “to promote individual empowerment and prevention of violent crimes,” according to the group’s Facebook page.
Stewart said the organization faces little opposition from other student groups on campus. Most of their opposition comes from university and faculty groups, as well as gun control groups like Mom’s Demand Action, he said.
Stewart said the UF chapter is working to reach out to students on campus to educate on the issue of concealed carry as well as violence prevention and self-defense. “The more hands on deck, the more we can do,” he said.
