It was billed as a town hall session on economic development, but the gun issues facing the Florida Legislature dominated much of the discussion.
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch co-hosted a town hall on Oct. 14 featuring State Sen. John Legg and State Rep. Danny Burgess.
Eugene Williams, executive director for the Coalition for the Homeless, opened the questioning by addressing the issue of concealed weapons on campus.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
“I was recently in Tallahassee and attended the committee meeting for the bill for campus concealed weapons,” Williams said. “As a PHSC adjunct professor, I just want to let you know that I don’t think that’s a good idea.
“The committee almost voted unanimously to support the representative’s bill. And I just think that that’s just wrong for our schools. It’s scary for our teachers, and most importantly, it’s not going to bring safety, or better safety to our to, you know, our school children,” said Williams, asking legislators to comment on the issue.
Legg, whose district represents everything south of State Road 52 in Pasco County to north of Tampa International Airport in Hillsborough County, told Williams there are four bills facing the Legislature that deal with weapons.
“We have one that basically allows, if you will, concealed weapon permit holders to be on college campus.
“We have another one that says we should allow our teachers to be armed in the k-12 (kindergarten through 12th-grade) system.
“We have another one that has been filed for open carry (to allow people to carry their weapons in plain sight) around the state of Florida.
“You have a fourth one now that says you can bring weapons to political meetings,” Legg said.
The state senator said he believes that people have the right to protect themselves, but not other people.
“That’s why we have law enforcement. That’s why you have trained people to do that,” he said.
“I think universities should have the right to regulate the weapons that are on the campus, but have the caveat that you do have students living on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Legg said.
“I’m not in favor of arming our teachers,” Legg said. “I understand people’s fear,” he added, but noted that law enforcement officers are better trained.
Burgess, whose district covers Dade City, San Antonio, St. Leo and Zephyrhills, said the issues need discussion.
“What we’re doing is not working,” Burgess said. “What can we do?” he asked.
“The debate should be had.”
Legg said he opposes the proposal to allow people to openly carry their weapons.
“People garnishing their weapons is not something I want to be around,” Legg said.
Burgess, who has a concealed weapons permit, said he’s not sure if he would want to openly carry his weapon.”
The legislators also heard concerns from the crowd about growing congestion, particularly near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Interstate 75 and State Road 56.
More needs to be done to synchronize lights better, so traffic can flow more smoothly, an audience member suggested.
A former Florida teacher urged lawmakers to reduce the required amount of testing in schools, noting that current requirements are so restrictive that they stifle teachers from pursuing their passion for teaching and prevent them from doing the work they were trained to do.
Teachers are leaving the profession, the former teacher said, because “they’re frustrating out.”
Published October 21, 2015
