Carry at "college event" in Florida?

[John Wesley]

I will be attending college graduation ceremonies at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida soon. (I wish I was the one graduating )

I have checked the Florida laws and find the following prohibited from carry:

"any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms"

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center is not a school AFAIK. I don't understand the wording and thought maybe a Floridian might know the meaning.

Does it mean that all "college events" are off limits? (A graduation would be a college event I suppose.)?

Or... does it mean that just "college athletic events" (football/basketball/etc.) are off limits and a college graduation (off campus) would be OK???

Ideas?

THANKS!

 

[wild billz]

don't carry on college campus, period, in Florida. Firearms are allowed only if it is a firearm event and you are participating in the event, like collegiate skeet. You also can't carry at off campus sport events

 

[John Wesley]

I understand what you are saying Wild Billz, but I guess my actual question was:

Can I legally carry (with a CCW of course) at a college graduation that is not on campus?

 

[ceetee]

My first instinct would be to say go ahead and carry it.

The list of prohibited places includes college campuses and college administration buildings, though, and it's possible that since the college is renting the Van Wezel Center, the law might look at it as an administration building (for the night). Since we all know how interpretations of the law can change with the wind, the safest bet is to leave it in the car...

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I would imagine that, like here in Indiana, that all venues being utilized/rented for a school function are considered to be 'school property' while the event is taking place, and therefore off limits to carrying.

I would presume this to also apply to institutions of higher education as well...

But, I'm in Indiana.

It might be worth a discreet telephone call to the sheriff's office to inquire for sure.

 

[Wes Janson]

I think Gutmacher would say this is a great example of a "grey area" in the law, and that you'd be setting yourself up to be a test case.

The Van Wezel isn't in a particularly high-crime area, but then again one never knows. The odds of needing a CCW that particularly night there are pretty low, but then so are the odds of being arrested for carrying were you to do so.

It all really depends on which side you prefer to err on.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I have checked the Florida laws and find the following prohibited from carry:

"any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms"

Although I have my suspicions that you're trolling, we'll assume for the moment that this is a legitimate inquiry. Exactly what part of "any school, college, or professional athletic event" do you not understand? The law prohibits carry at college EVENTS, not at specific college venues.

Bottom line -- you can't carry (legally).

 

[John Wesley]

Aguila Blanca, why would you think I am "trolling"?

"any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms"

I honestly don't know which of the two below that it means.

any school athletic event, any college athletic event, or any professional athletic event...

OR...

any school event, any college event, or any professional athletic event.

Anyway, it looks like the concensus is that it is most likely illegal. I probably won't take the chance. I had a couple of bad experiences when I was in Bradenton a few months ago (that's just north of Sarasota for those of you unfamiliar with that area). I'm glad to know my risk is relatively low, Wes.

- Indy_Guy_77, it would be legal here in Kentucky since it is not K-12 but a college.Post-secondary institutions may prohibit carry but it is not illegal (unless you refuse to leave when asked and then you are only trespassing). -Not sure about Indiana.

Thanks for all the replys!

 

[David904]

I just went to a function at the Van Wezel a couple of weeks ago. It isn't far enough down 41 to be in the really troublesome part of town. Unless you have deep pockets and a hankering to be a test case, I would forego being armed to the function. Parking is well it and located so I think that I wouldn't worry so very much.

 

[David904]

Hi John... Bradenton has given me acouple of exciting moments as well. The box is a terrible place to be in after dark.

 

[ceetee]

[thread drift] I didn't know you could use "Bradenton" and "exciting" in the same sentence! [/thread drift]

 

[David904]

Yeah... I don't live there. I just work there. I live in Sarasota - about 40 minutes away.