Father Of Slain Student’s Emotional Testimony Halts Florida Law

[cal04]

Father Of Slain Student’s Emotional Testimony Halts Florida Law Allowing Guns On Campus

The Florida state Senate is considering a controversial bill, introduced last month, that would allow guns to be carried on college and university campuses. Like 49 other states, Florida currently bans firearms from campus, but state Sen. Greg Evers (R) wants permitted weapons allowed on campus because “it’s just a good idea that people be allowed to carry firearms wherever they feel the necessity to protect themselves.”

The state Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee was considering the bill yesterday when an unexpected speaker arrived: Robert Cowie, whose daughter Ashley was killed last month at a Florida State fraternity house when an AK-74 owned by one of the fraternity members accidentally discharged. Reading from a prepared statement, but frequently overcome with emotion, Cowie — who described himself as a registered Republican that never missed an election — pleaded with legislators not to pass the bill:

COWIE: As parents, we send our children to college campuses hoping that they are safe enough places, and that university officials are doing all that they to monitor the safety of our young people. When we packed Ashley’s belongings into boxes to take her things to Tallahassee, we never expected to be bringing her home in a different sized box. This proposed change to the law will place an undue burden on the universities to keep our campuses safe. Ashley was shot to death at a time when the law prohibited weapons on campus, and still this tragedy has occurred…. Allowing guns in an atmosphere of college parties puts everyone involved at increased and undue risk.

Watch it:

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/23/florida-father-shooting/

[X_Digger]

1. Was she killed by a CCW holder?

No? Then what bearing should it have on whether or not to allow CCW holders to carry on campus?

Appeal to Emotion.

[friendly_iconoclast]

3. No- and it didn't happen on campus, either. n/t

[friendly_iconoclast]

2. With all due respect to Cowie- the shooting didn't happen on campus.

and did not involve a handgun

And four states (not one)- Alaska, Utah, Washington, and Colorado- allow duly licensed students to carry handguns

concealed on campus. I've yet to read any reports of problems with this.

[Katya Mullethov]

4. Sounded like alcohol again to me

But they dont have a problem with that . Oh no . Look over there !

[rl6214]

5. Father Of Slain Student’s Emotional Testimony Halts Florida Law

the bill was not halted, the consideration of the bill was postponed but state sen Evers said he will continue on with ensuring the bills passage.

[Euromutt]

6. "Halts"?

According to the article, consideration of the bill has been postponed, but it's not off the table entirely. "Slows" or "delays" would have been more accurate wording.

And since the late Ms Cowie was killed by a non-permit holder wielding a long gun at an off-campus location, Mr. Cowie's testimony is, as other posters have noted, entirely irrelevant to the question at hand.