Texas Committee OK's CCW on Campus

[The_Shootist]

Sounds like it now goes to a full vote:

Per TSRA:
On Wednesday afternoon, April 8th, the House Committee on Public Safety voted out HB 1893, TSRA-backed legislation sponsored by Rep. Joe Driver (R) Garland that would allow Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves on college and university campuses, by a 5-3 vote.

The committee agreed that adult students, faculty and staff who are 21 or older, who have passed extensive background checks, who have completed firearms training courses and who have been issued a concealed handgun license by the State of Texas should be able to protect themselves in campus settings just like they are legally able to do almost anywhere else in the state. The right to personal protection should not be denied to a licensee just because he or she studies, works or lives on a college or university campus.

 

[UpTheIrons]

Great news! Now I've got to get on the horn to my Rep. and make sure he votes FOR HB 1893. I think he will, anyway, but it never hurts to remind them.

 

[Deer Hunter]

YES!

I've got some calls to make!

 

[Prince Yamato]

Oh Lord in heaven, please pass this bill before May so I can carry at my convocation... please please please... it would be the best graduation gift I could hope for!

 

[Captain Kyle]

What do yall think are the odds this will be passed? I hope so, What about private universities?

 

[Frog48]

What about private universities?

Good question. I'm a TCU alum, and thinking about going back for a masters, so this is of interested to me also.

The bill specifically forbids private universities from enacting rules or regulations that would prohibit concealed carry.

"An institution of higher education or private or
independent institution of higher education in this state may not
adopt any rule, regulation, or other provision prohibiting license
holders from carrying handguns on the campus of the institution."

The text of the bill can be found here: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01893I.pdf

 

[CapnMac]

Well, it certainly will make it simpler to bring LEo into the Riverside Campus.
Will be nicer for folks flying out of town, what with CLL being entirely on campus property.

 

[EHL]

Is Saint Mary's University in San Antonio a private school?

 

[Frog48]

Is Saint Mary's University in San Antonio a private school?

Yes, it is a private Catholic university.

 

[EHL]

dang! That's my first choice for Law School this Fall!:banghead:

 

[Frog48]

dang! That's my first choice for Law School this Fall!

Whats the issue?

 

[Lagomorph]

I'll agree with Prince Yamato about carrying during the ceremony. I sent off a letter asking my state Rep. to support this about 3 weeks ago and got a response saying something along the lines of "handguns on campus are a liability". Boy, what a way to elicit a reaction...

She has since received a new letter with a more thorough discussion of the issue.

 

[Galadren]

Now if only Louisiana would pass this law...

 

[lightbulb0413]

And Kentucky.

 

[GEM]

Many presidents of private schools in TX have visited their legislators to lobby against the bill.

I won't get my hopes up - in general, TX business interests are against bills that allow carry on private property or reduce restrictions. Despite their 'conservative' blather they are only concerned with perceived financial risk analysis. Risk folks have been telling schools and private property owners that allowing carry will cost them more than paying off shooting victims. Some private property owners don't buy into that. Some do - schools do.

I'll believe this bill will pass when I see it - fingers crossed, though.

 

[Yellowfin]

The solution to that, GEM, is to sue them if they don't.

 

[EHL]

Whats the issue?

I really was hoping to be able to legally be able to carry my CCW without fear of being expelled. If I'm accepted I'll have to take my chances each and every day I go to class. I don't like being without me CCW.

 

[Quoheleth]

Assuming it passes (for the sake of the argument)...

From what I read (and IANAL) the provision would be for students, professors, faculty, and staff. So, if I were visiting the campus as a non-student, I couldn't carry.

Am I correct?

Q

 

[Geronimo45]

Am I correct?

No. See lines 12-15 in the bill.
It is open to anyone with a CHL.

Thrilled about it, myself.

 

[Greybeard]

It's sounding like the Public Safety Committee may have amended to allow private universities to "opt out" - but not allow prohibiting legal CHL carry in their parking lots. Time will tell how it all shakes out in the next few days, weeks ...

 

[The_Shootist]

Its Looking Good!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/6367187.html

Seems like there are enough votes in the house to have it pass.

 

[Quoheleth]

Hey, UpTheIrons - this thing goes through, we might be in business in June, huh?

Q

 

[CleverNickname]

Assuming it passes it would go into effect on September 1, the date almost all new laws in Texas go into effect.

 

[Hugo]

Bump. Any news on when this goes to a vote so we can watch the News for it?

 

[tennesseewj]

As a college student myself, I hope it passes. If it does, send some of that common sense over to Tennessee