Carry to approved hunter safety class at private school in Florida

I received an email today involving Florida gun law  that is worth commenting about.   The email was from a hunter safety instructor who had permission to hold classes at a private school cafeteria on weekends.  He said that students were insisting they could bring firearms to class.  He asked me if that was legal.  Here's my response:

It is my opinion -- opinion -- that 790.115(2)(a)(1) permits the carry of firearms to such a class ONLY where the principal or chief administrative officer of that school has preapproved of the exact class or classes. A letter from that person with the dates of such approved classes, and the nature of the class (ie: hunter safety), and the fact that firearms may be carried  --  should be retained by the instructor, and I would HIGHLY advise that copies be given to each student with a copy of 790.115 -- otherwise you're asking for trouble.   I hasten to add, that because of the language of the statute -- it is probable that not just the "class" be preapproved -- but also that the "possession of firearms and/or weapons" be preapproved in the letter.   Without that last part -- the OK for firearms at the class -- it is probable carrying is NOT authorized by the statute.  This opinion also applies to a public school.

Hope that helps.

copyright 2011 by jon gutmacher     [Florida gun laws]