Florida college students react to proposed gun law changes

ANYTHING ELSE. >> IT ALL COMES AS TODAY THERE WAS AN INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE ON THE CAMPUS OF FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER SAMANTHA ROMERO IS LIVE FOR US FROM FGCU. SOME STATE LAWMAKERS JUST TRIED TO ALLOW A BILL OR JUST TRIED TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE A GUN. >> ALEX, THAT'S RIGHT. AND I TALKED TO STUDENTS ABOUT THAT TODAY, FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, SOME OF THEM ARE WORRYING ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN TALLAHASSEE. AND IN THE SAME CITY, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A BILL THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GUN LAWS. >> IT SOUNDS KIND OF SEVERE EVENT. I THINK THE YOUNGER WE ARE THE LESS WE KNOW SURVIVES. A LITTLE SCARY TO HEAR ESPECIALLY SOMETHING. I THINK THE PERSON IS LIKE 20. SO TO THINK THAT EVEN YOUNGER CAN HAVE ACCESS IS A LITTLE FRIGHTENING. SOME SUPPORTERS LIKE IT. OTHERS DON'T. >> HOUSE BILL, 759, WITH LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE A FIREARM FROM 21 TO 18. IF PASSED, 18 YEAR-OLDS WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY LONG GUNS LIKE SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES FROM A FEDERAL ARMS LICENSEE. THEY COULD ALSO BUY IT THROUGH A PRIVATE SALE. IMPORTANTLY, THIS BILL WOULDN'T ALLOW 18 YEAR-OLDS TO BUY HANDGUNS FROM A FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEE, BUT IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BUY HANDGUNS AND PRIVATE SALES. LAWMAKERS JUST ALSO RECENTLY SHUT DOWN THE BILL THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED COLLEGE STUDENTS TO LEGALLY CARRY GUNS ON CAMPUS. I SPOKE WITH AN FGC FORENSICS PROFESSOR WHO SAYS OFFICERS TODAY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TREAT EVERYONE AS IF THEIR ARMS. I WE'RE AT A POINT NOW, AS I THINK THOSE ARE IMPORTANT NOW WITH LOOK AT. >> THEY CONSIDER EVERYBODY. YOU ALMOST HAVE TO CONSIDER EVERYBODY DNR. >> THIS BILL DID PASS THE HOUSE AND IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATE

Increased police presence at Florida Gulf Coast University coincides with Florida state lawmakers pushing a bill to lower the minimum age to buy a gun from 21 to 18, causing concern among students."It sounds kind of scary, but I feel like the younger we are, the less we know about it. And so that's a little scary to hear, especially something I think the person is like 20. So to think that even younger could have access is a little bit frightening to me,"Jailyn Spady, an FGCU freshman, said.Florida House Bill 759 would allow 18-year-olds to purchase long guns, such as shotguns and rifles, from a federal firearms licensee or through a private sale.However, it would not permit them to buy handguns from a federal firearms licensee, though they could still purchase handguns in private sales.Lawmakers recently shut down a bill that would have allowed college students to legally carry guns on campus."I think we're at a point now, the guys, guys and gals are at a point now where they look at and they consider everybody, you almost have to consider everybody being armed,"David Thomas, a professor of forensic studies at FGCU, said.House Bill 759 has already passed the House and now moves to the Senate.

Increased police presence at Florida Gulf Coast University coincides with Florida state lawmakers pushing a bill to lower the minimum age to buy a gun from 21 to 18, causing concern among students.

"It sounds kind of scary, but I feel like the younger we are, the less we know about it. And so that's a little scary to hear, especially something I think the person is like 20. So to think that even younger could have access is a little bit frightening to me,"Jailyn Spady, an FGCU freshman, said.

Florida House Bill 759 would allow 18-year-olds to purchase long guns, such as shotguns and rifles, from a federal firearms licensee or through a private sale.

However, it would not permit them to buy handguns from a federal firearms licensee, though they could still purchase handguns in private sales.

Lawmakers recently shut down a bill that would have allowed college students to legally carry guns on campus.

"I think we're at a point now, the guys, guys and gals are at a point now where they look at and they consider everybody, you almost have to consider everybody being armed,"David Thomas, a professor of forensic studies at FGCU, said.

House Bill 759 has already passed the House and now moves to the Senate.