DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz joins legislative Democrats in opposing gun bills in state Legislature
Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz joined state House and Senate Democrats in condemning legislation Thursday that would allow some Floridians to openly carry firearms and bring them onto college campuses.
Wasserman Schultz, a member of Congress from Weston, formerly served in the Florida Legislature. She said that although polls have shown most Floridians oppose the gun measures, they are drawing support in the Republican-led Legislature for a simple reason.
“Republicans who worship at the altar of the NRA are the real problem,” Wasserman Schultz said.
But the show of force by Democrats came even as a Miami Republican, Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, said he would not schedule the campus carry bill in the Judiciary Committee he chairs, potentially killing it for this session.
Diaz de la Portilla said he has opposed the measure before and his “position hasn’t changed.”
The legislation (HB 4001, SB 68) would allow students with concealed weapons permits to keep guns on campus, barring Florida colleges and universities from maintaining current prohibitions.
Student and faculty representatives attended Thursday’s news conference to urge that the campus carry bill be shelved. University presidents and law enforcement officials also have spoken out against the legislation at earlier committee hearings on the measure.
The open-carry measure (HB 163, SB 300) would allow the more than 1.4 million Floridians with concealed weapons permits to walk the streets with handguns displayed – not tucked into a purse, under a jacket or in a pocket.
Like campus carry, that proposal also is eagerly sought by the NRA this election year. Unlike campus carry, the open-carry measure faces better odds this session.
Although 43 states now have varying degrees of open-carry laws, opponents have argued it would hurt Florida’s lucrative tourist industry, confuse law enforcement in tense situations and heighten the risk of violence for Floridians.
Supporters said it would enhance public safety.
Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, said the Legislature’s push for easing gun restrictions was “madness.” Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, said of the campus proposal, “There is not a need there to import…guns,” to college dormitories.
