Republic Of Texas Senate Passes Law Allowing Students To Carry Guns
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n/t Chad Coleman
Two pieces of gun legislation were approved by the Texas Senate this week.
Students at Texas colleges with a concealed handgun license would be permitted to take their guns to class under a bill approved by the Senate. Current law doesn’t prohibit concealed carry licensees from being armed on campus, but it does ban guns from college buildings and classrooms. Senate Bill 1164, by Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio), would change that, allowing guns in the classroom, public buildings and residence halls. Wentworth said recent school shootings at colleges in Virginia and Illinois inspired this bill.
“They were picked off like sitting ducks in the classroom in Virginia,” he said. “I just think we ought to be able to defend ourselves from that kind of situation. It happens very rarely, but when it does happen, it’s catastrophic.”
To qualify for a concealed handgun permit, a person must be 21 years of age and pass classroom and gun range qualifications. SB 1164 would not allow colleges to prohibit concealed carry licensees from having guns in their dorm rooms, but officials could set rules on how those guns must be stored. The bill would also allow private institutions to opt out of the law, and doesn’t change current law that prohibits guns at college sporting events.
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