A 21-year-old college senior faces criminal charges after campus security discovered a semi-automatic rifle and substantial ammunition in his dormitory room at a private Florida college.
Constantine Demetriades, a senior at Rollins College in Winter Park, was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of a weapon on school property. The incident came to light after the student ordered 1,500 rounds of ammunition to be delivered to his campus residence, prompting the school’s assistant campus safety director to alert local authorities.
A subsequent search of Demetriades’ dorm room revealed an unloaded AR-15 rifle stored in an unsecured black carrying case beneath his bed. Also discovered were one loaded magazine, five empty magazines, a tactical vest, multiple knives, a black security vest, and ear protection equipment.
According to the arrest affidavit, Demetriades explained to investigating officers that he maintains shooting as a hobby. He stated the firearm had been on campus because he had recently returned from Thanksgiving break in New Jersey, where he said the weapons were purchased and registered in accordance with that state’s laws.
The student told authorities he harbored no ill intentions and typically stored the firearm at a friend’s residence off campus. He acknowledged bringing the weapon to his dormitory on only one previous occasion.
The case highlights the complex intersection of state and local firearms regulations. While Florida law permits open carry of firearms in certain circumstances, Rollins College maintains a strict prohibition against all weapons on campus property. Demetriades reportedly acknowledged to police that he was aware of the campus weapons ban and understood that his New Jersey concealed carry permit held no validity in Florida.
The college has taken immediate administrative action, barring Demetriades from campus until the matter reaches resolution. An internal investigation has been initiated to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether additional institutional policies were violated.
Winter Park police have not indicated any evidence suggesting the student planned to use the weapon unlawfully. However, the possession of firearms on educational property remains a serious offense under Florida law, regardless of the owner’s stated intentions or legal ownership status in other jurisdictions.
The incident serves as a reminder to students and parents about the importance of understanding local and institutional regulations regarding firearms, particularly as they relate to educational facilities. While Second Amendment rights remain constitutionally protected, those rights exist within a framework of reasonable restrictions, particularly in sensitive locations such as schools and colleges.
Rollins College, a private liberal arts institution founded in 1885, enrolls approximately 3,000 students. The college has not released additional details about its internal investigation or whether further disciplinary measures beyond the campus ban are being considered.
The case remains under investigation by Winter Park police.
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