The Texas House approved licensed concealed carry in state college campus buildings.The bill faces an uncertain future in the state Senate. A similar bill last year seemd destined to pass until many University Presidents had a hissy fit. Stay tuned!
Note: under current law licensed concealed carriers can carry on campus grounds, but not in buildings. This bill allows licensed concealed carriers to carry in buildings.
Opponents apparently believe that somehow, license concealed carriers will become homicidal maniacs once they enter a building.
Don't forget that under the current "rules of engagement", a student noticing a handgun in the possession of another student can assume that something is amiss . . . if this bill passes, that same circumstance requires not only that the carrier has a license, but that nothing is amiss. When I was a non-traditional student, where the average age was higher, I would have been less alarmed by a glimpse of a holstered, obviously professional handgun than I would have been during my traditional years (18-22). The rate of sociopathy and unpredictability in the student body was much higher then.
ReplyDeleteRidge: Thanks for the comment. I'm not sure what you mean by "rules of engagement." If concealed carry is legal, why should it be assumed that something is "amiss"? In most if not all states, one must be 21 to get a concealed carry permit. Given the cost and exclusions (e.g. domestic violence, conviction, etc.) very few traditional students will have a carry permit.
ReplyDeleteFurther, many observers do not realize that in Texas and many concealed carry states, one with a license can carry on campus grounds but not buildings. Has carrying on campus grounds caused any problems? NO. I don't believe there has ever been a case where a person licensed to carry on the grounds (or in a state or two licensed to carry in school buildings) has committed a crime. Licensed concealed carry is widespread in the U.S. A great majority of states allow it. Yet, violent crime has gone down. I don't share your fears and I do not believe such fears can be supported by any credible data.