JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida State Senator Randy Fine is introducing a bill that would allow concealed carry of firearms on college and university campuses across the state.

Senate Bill 814 was filed on Feb. 18, 2025. Fine says it aims to extend Second Amendment rights to college grounds.

The proposed legislation states, “A person may carry a firearm on the property of any college or university, including, but not limited to, any dormitory or residence hall owned or operated by a college or university, and in any other location he or she is legally authorized to do so.”

Fine argues the bill is necessary to ensure student safety. He introduced the bill following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. In his opinion, universities weren’t doing enough to ensure the safety of students.

“We saw that at many American universities, they were more interested in protecting Muslim terrorists than they were in defending their students, and students were getting attacked,” Fine said.

However, the proposal was met with mixed reactions from students at the University of North Florida. Some students say they won’t feel safer.

“We already have UPD,” Ian Garvey told First Coast News. “We’ve already got campus officers. Literally everywhere you take a walk tonight, you’re gonna see a UPD the officer here. More guns in a place that’s supposed to be safe space does not help us.”

“This is not the right thing to do. I don’t even think violence should ever be an option,” Ronald Oscar, another student said.

Fine argues every adult, including students, should have the right to protect themselves on campus.

“Do you want to make yourself a sitting duck, or do you want to have the ability to protect yourself?” Fine said.

The bill now faces a lengthy legislative process before potentially becoming law. If passed, it could take effect as early as the next school year.