House member tells story of using her gun to prevent rape
TALAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda says she favors allowing guns on Florida university campuses because she once used her gun as a student to prevent being raped.
The Democrat from Tallahassee told her story Wednesday in a state House committee as it approved a contentious bill allowing concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns on Florida public university campuses.
Vasilinda attended three Florida campuses as an undergraduate and law student and wouldn't say whether the incident occurred while she was at New College, the University of Florida or the University of South Florida. She never reported it because she knew her attacker and didn't want to disrupt her life.
She said the attack occurred in her off-campus apartment and was violent.
The bill appears to be moving toward passage.