Florida Sheriff: Campus Carry, Open Carry Part of Exercising 2nd Amendment

As support for Campus Carry by concealed weapons license holders who are over 21 years of age and support for Open Carry by concealed weapons license holders continues to grow, some Florida Sheriffs are speaking out on these important Second Amendment issues.

The outstanding article below featuring Florida Sheriff Wayne Ivey of Brevard County signals a new movement among sheriffs who are standing up and fighting for you and your rights, against those who just give lip service to those rights while lobbying against you.

Unlike conservative college and university administrators and faculty members, who often find themselves in a position of not only having their Second Amendment rights trampled, but their First Amendment rights being chilled by fear of retaliation from their administrations if they speak out, Florida Sheriffs face no such threat.

Sheriffs answer to the people on election day.  Once elected, they must take the oath of office that begins: “I do solemnly swear that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States, and of the State of Florida….” and ends, “So help me God.”   That means the whole Constitution, not just the parts some unions or associations like.

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With Florida Republicans working anew to pass legislation that will make it legal for women to be armed against sexual predators on campus, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey stresses that Campus Carry is part of exercising the Second Amendment. He believes Open Carry is part of exercising the Second Amendment too.

Florida Carry reports Ivey Sheriff supports a recognition of “the right to bear arms openly and on campus.” Moreover, he believes such legislation will be passed in the coming legislative session.

Ivey stresses that more and more people are recognizing the importance of carrying a gun for self-defense, which is contributing to Florida’s boom in concealed carry. He believes this growing recognition is changing attitudes and attracting more support for carrying on campus and carrying openly as well.

Breitbart News previously reported that Campus Carry legislation sponsored by representative Greg Steube (R-Sarasota) and senator Greg Evers (R-Baker) passed out of committee on September 16 and will be one of the first pieces of legislation considered when the legislature convenes in January 2016.

The move to arm women and other law-abiding citizens on campus for self-defense is opposed by Florida’s League of Women Voters (FLWV) and by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. It is supported by rape victim and Florida State University student Shayna Lopez-Rivas, who says she is “resolved to never be a victim again.” The Tampa Bay Times reports that Lopez-Rivas refuses to be “a sitting duck for [another] rapist or a shooter” as she stresses how much she would “feel safer” on the FSU campus if she were allowed to keep her gun with her for self-defense.

Read more.

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