Florida college reverses no-gun policy on campus in wake of school shooting

[soberbyker]

Following a shooting in a parking lot at Eastern Florida State College, school officials took an unusual step — they are now allowing guns back on campus.

The shooting occurred Thursday, when a student was brutally attacked by two men near his car. The student, Landrick Hamilton, 24, was able to retrieve his firearm from inside his vehicle and shot one of the men in the chest, according to Orlando NBC affiliate WESH.

The man who was shot, Amado Contreras, 25, was hospitalized and is listed in fair condition.

At the time of the incident, firearms were not allowed on campus. The college announced Tuesday that it was now reversing its no-gun policy in the wake of the shooting, as long as weapons are kept secure and out of sight inside cars.

Eastern Florida’s students have largely applauded the change.

“I saw the guy getting beat down,” student Rio Gonzalez told WESH. “The gun practically saved his life.”

“If someone feels like they’re in harm’s way, they have the right to defend themselves as citizens,” student Trevaria Cole agreed.

Although he was in violation of school policy at the time of the shooting, Hamilton will not be punished, according to WMFE radio.

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http://www.bizpacreview.com/2014/02/...shooting-98763



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[olderguy]

A light at the end of the tunnel?

[libra8]

What good is a gun in your car if the bad guy is shooting up the classroom?

[JasonPACC]

What good is a gun in your car if the bad guy is shooting up the classroom?

Baby steps... it's at least going in the right direction.

[Lendog]

What good is a gun in your car if the bad guy is shooting up the classroom?

yea its about as useful as leaving the condom in your wallet during sex with a call girl

[rmagill]

Wow, I am seriously surprised! I am glad to see that common sense was found on a college campus!

I am also glad to hear that the student will not be facing any sanctions. I wonder how many college staff/administrators that just pissed off.

[customloaded]

This is a setup. This college is not doing this for a good reason. They are setting themselves up to gain statistical data to ban firearms.

More cars will now be broken into on campus. Raising criminal statistics for the college.
The college will take that as a negative and re-ban firearms because banning firearms will result in fewer auto break ins.

CL

[rmagill]

Baby steps... it's at least going in the right direction.

^This. It would have been easy for the college to use this as an excuse to solidify their anti-gun position. This may not be ideal, but it is a step in the right direction, which anyone who has worked for a college (or dealt with their bureaucracy) knows is not a small thing.

[filgun11]

as long as weapons are kept secure and out of sight inside cars
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While it's positive change... But now everyone knows where to look for... Inside the cars. You break-into enough cars, you're bound to get lucky and get a gun.

Why can't the policy be like "only conceal carry".