Debate-a-Bull profile: Joshua Knezinek
Today, four students will congregate in the cold to debate an issue currently being discussed in the Florida Legislature: concealed carry on campus. At 6 p.m., these four will meet in the Marshall Student Center Amphitheatre to share their argument and raise awareness of the issue. Each team will consist of two current USF students.
Joshua Knezinek, a senior majoring in finance, will provide the rebuttal for the pro-concealed carry argument, though he has additional material to present and feels confident he can rebut effectively, regardless.
“I feel that it’s a natural right — not just with firearms — but with self-defense, in general,” he said. “If I’m being attacked, I have a natural right to defend myself.”
He said students can use their fists, Tasers and asps, among other weapons in self defense on campus, but they are restricted from using firearms, which Knezinek feels is a restriction of his right to defend himself.
“Coming from the military, I realize how many people are not being exposed to firearms.” According to Knezinek, in the 1950s, firearms were taught about in schools and it was unusual if someone did not know basic gun safety.
“People are just not familiar with it,” he said. “And not being familiar with it makes them afraid and fearful.”
The issue of on-campus concealed carry has been debated for decades, and many now-college-age students grew up with a fear of campus shootings thanks in part to incidences like the Virginia Tech shootings and the Columbine massacre.
The debate will take place at 6 p.m.
More Stories
On-campus political groups respond to bill targeting diversity initiatives
Student-led political groups on campus have presented differing opinions and action plans regarding House Bill 999, which targets diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory (CRT) initiatives at the state’s public universities, as the bill works its way up in the Florida Legislature. House Bill 999, which passed through the Florida state house […]
Trans+ Student Union holds Gender Affirming Clothing Swap
Among hundreds of clothing items separated by tops, bottoms and accessories displayed on top of several chairs in rows, the Trans+ Student Union (TSU) aimed to provide a safe space for over 45 students to explore their gender expressions through fabric. The Gender Affirming Clothing Swap event was held at the Marshall Student Center from […]
Student-led art exhibit showcases multidimensional change
Standing in front of a group of 20 attendees in the dimly lit Marshall Student Center Centre Gallery, freshman interdisciplinary social sciences major Carolina Gutfruend shared the significance of honoring sexual assault awareness through her art. Recounting her own experiences with guilt and shame as a survivor of sexual assault, Gutfruend said she wanted her […]
Students, faculty rally against state legislation targeting diversity initiatives
At a Tuesday rally intended to create student awareness for preserving academic rights, history professor Alex Levine read aloud two emails he received earlier this week from prospective employees and graduate students expressing fear for their future at USF. One of the emails was from a trans philosophy graduate student who messaged him about her […]
BOT approves new collective bargaining agreement, hears public comments regarding state legislation
At Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Board of Trustees (BOT) voted to accept a 3-year bargaining agreement (CBA) with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and listened to public comments from students and professors regarding House Bill (H.B.) 999. During the 9:30 a.m. hour-long meeting in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom, the […]
BOT approves $22 million expenditure for on-campus stadium
The Board of Trustees (BOT) met Tuesday morning at the Marshall Student Center Ballroom and approved the use of $22 million for the design of the university’s planned 35,000-seat on-campus football stadium on Sycamore Fields, located on the east side of the Tampa campus. The proposal received a unanimous vote. There was no formal […]