Sarasota state Rep. Greg Steube answers hypocrite calls by filing bill to allow guns in government meetings

TALLAHASSEE -- State Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, decided he was tired of being called a hypocrite over a bill he filed this session to allow concealed-carry permit holders to have guns on college campuses.

"All these media people were asking me, 'Well doesn't that make you a hypocrite since people can't carry into Legislature meetings?'" Steube said. "So now I'm saying, OK, you think I'm a hypo

crite? Here you go."

Steube filed a bill this week to allow concealed-carry permit holders to bring guns into local government meetings, Florida Legislature meetings and career centers. And though the shouts of hypocrisy prompted Steube to file the legislation, it wasn't his only motivation.

"I'd like to be able to carry in a legislative meeting," Steube said.

Current law allows concealed-carry license holders to bring guns into the Florida Capitol and even into offices, just not into committee meetings or on the floor of the House or Senate.

His is one of several gun bills being considered this fall in the runup to the 2016 session, but Gov. Rick Scott won't say how he feels about them.

Bills already being considered by legislative committees would also allow the open-carrying of firearms by those who have concealed weapons permits.

"I haven't seen all the proposals," Scott told reporters Tuesday. "I believe in the Second Amendment. If they pass those bills, I'll review those bills as they pass them."

Steube said this isn't the first time he's supported legislation to lessen regulations on guns in government buildings.

In 2011, during Steube's first term as a state representative, former state Rep. Jimmy Patronis sponsored legislation to allow those who have concealed-carry licenses and who also hold elected office as a county commissioner, school board member or county constitutional officer, to carry guns into several areas now restricted, including local government meetings, schools, airports and Legislature meetings. That bill did not pass.

That was filed after a shooting incident in 2010 when a man, upset over his wife being fired, shot at the Bay County School District Board during a meeting. The man was stopped by a security officer who shot at him several times before the man killed himself.

"Several members of that board had concealed-carry permits but they weren't allowed to carry into that meeting," Steube said.

Many have reacted to the recent uptick in mass shootings as evidence the country needs more gun regulation, not less. Steube said he believes the real issue is responsible gun ownership, and an increase in that will add a greater line of defense against would-be shooters.

Since 1987, only 0.002 percent of those licensed for concealed carry in Florida have committed a crime, which includes misdemeanors, Steube said. Additionally, those who have a concealed-carry permit are six times less likely to commit a crime than a law enforcement officer.

"Did a gun-free zone at Sandy Hook keep the shooter away and save the lives of those children? Gun regulation only affects law-abiding citizens, not criminals," Steube said. "Quite honestly, that's why I believe those areas are targeted. They know law-abiding citizens aren't carrying in those areas."

When asked if he planned to look at getting rid of any other current exception areas for concealed-carry license holders, Steube said no.

Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055. You can follow her on Twitter @KateIrby

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 11:55 PM with the headline "Sarasota state Rep. Greg Steube answers hypocrite calls by filing bill to allow guns in government meetings ."