STATE SENATE APPROVES COLLEGE GUN BILL
The State Senate has given final approval to a proposal allowing people with proper licenses to carry concealed handguns on college campuses.
Thursday morning's 20-11 party line vote comes one day after senators spent hours debating and passing the bill. It now heads to the GOP-controlled House.
Republican Sen. Brian Birdwell's plan mandates allowing concealed carry at public universities. Private schools could still ban guns.
At least 20 states allow some form of so-called "campus carry."
Supporters say the proposal will help protect students. Opponents, including most student groups and leaders of Texas' top universities, say the bill would make campuses less safe.
A separate bill that cleared the Senate earlier in the week lets Texans with gun licenses openly carry firearms in most places except for college campuses.
Well, maybe the state legislature thinks we can return our great state of Texas to the wild wild west and attract more tourists with paid up life insurance premiums. With all the pressing, serious issues facing the state and citizens why is time being wasted on this nonsense? Law enforcement does not support it, teachers and administrators of colleges don’t want this. Is this just a means of garnering votes and campaign contributions at the taxpayers expense? Legislative sessions cost us serious money and the time is not being used wisely. Selfishly maybe, but not wisely.
Professors and administration may not want it but college students with CHLs do. I’m forced to leave my handgun in my vehicle everytime I walk to class. Many of my classrooms would be a death trap if an active shooter were present. They often have one entrance with no cover. Because my life and others have value, this needed to go to the legislature.