Last week, the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee in Austin, Texas voted 5-3 to further legislation allowing concealed handguns on college campuses. Rep. Joe Driver (R), proposed House Bill 750, which would allow individuals who obtain a concealed-handgun permit to carry their weapons into college buildings.
The current law forbids taking guns onto college and university campuses. In fact, some college buildings have signs at the door stating weapons are strictly prohibited from being brought onto the premises.
Under the bill, handguns would still be prohibited in bars, churches, hospitals and sporting events at colleges.
The law requires colleges and universities to comply with the law. However, private educational institutions are not bound by the law and are free to create their own weapons policy.
The bill is highly controversial; both proponents, and opponents have expressed strong views on the subject. Proponents argue that that the current law against guns doesn’t deter those who will violate the law anyway, and this bill simply allows law-abiding citizens to bring their weapons to campus and protect themselves in case of an emergency. Opponents argue that allowing guns on campus will increase the propensity for violence among students and could have extremely dangerous consequences for the community at large.
Well that was a good read.
Thanks to the Glen Beck wannabees this viewpoint is sometimes taken for granted.