This is by no means an endorsement for carrying where you aren’t legally allowed to carry. But this does go to show that printing does matter.
A Florida woman is now facing a charge of possessing a weapon on school property after being caught carrying concealed on her kid’s school campus. She was walking her kid to school and entered through the main door. A school employee saw what looked to be a “gun-shaped bulge” on her and reported it to school officials.
A Youth Relations Bureau deputy confronted her and asked if she was carrying a gun. She said yes as she was carrying a loaded 9mm Glock in a concealed holster. The deputy took the firearm, and she was arrested even though they stated that she had “no bad intentions.”
They also found out that she did not have a valid Florida Concealed Weapons License. Either way, she would likely have been arrested because it is illegal to carry a gun on a school campus, with or without a license.
I definitely have an issue with not being allowed to carry on school property. Why shouldn’t I, as a licensed concealed carrier, be able to carry my gun on me while I drop off or pick up my kids from school? One lady that was being interviewed said, “You don’t know what’s going to happen when you a firearm with you to pick up kids. Something bad might happen.” I agree. And that’s exactly why I should be able to carry my gun on me.
Yes, this is frustrating! There is a lot of freedom for individual school districts in FL to make carry decisions. First, I want to clarify that I am definitely NOT a lawyer and am not licensed to practice law or give legal options or any legal advice. I just want to help based on my layman’s understanding of the law.
According to Florida Statute 790.06, generally I understand that possession of a firearm is illegal on Florida school property, but there are a few exceptions. An individual may NOT possess a firearm or other weapon on the property of any school, school bus, or school bus stop, including the property of any elementary or secondary school facility, administration building, or career center. There are some exceptions where a person may carry if it has been approved in advance by the principal or chief administrative officer of the school, such as a program or class to which firearms may be carried.
Note that Florida law allows concealed firearms to be carried in a vehicle without a carry license, if the person is at least 18 years old and the firearm is securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. This also applies to the carrying of a firearm in a person’s vehicle on the grounds of a school or at a school activity. Note that at this time Florida school districts have the option of deciding if they want to allow this or not for the purposes of student and campus parking lots.
Hope this helps generally, but review Florida Statute 790 for more details and guidance.
Carry on!
Col Ben