Handguns on campus allowed at UHCL in 2016
The controversial debate on whether handguns should be allowed on college campuses has come to an end as public universities all over Texas are in the beginning stages of preparing their school to adhere to a new campus carry law.
The Texas House debated the law for an hour before passing Senate Bill 11 with a 98-to-47 vote. Governor Greg Abbott then signed the bill into law June 13.
Previously, licensed gun holders were allowed to bring a handgun on campus, but the weapon had to remain in the glove box of the individual’s car. Senate Bill 11 will change that by allowing licensed handgun owners to carry a concealed handgun onto school grounds.
This new law will go into effect August 1, 2016, for all public universities and August 1, 2017, for all public junior and community colleges in Texas.
Biotechnology student Ann Bromley is a concealed handgun license holder and agrees with the bill.
“My safety is my responsibility.” Bromley said. “I like to make sure I am safe if there is ever an active shooter situation. It is a tool just like anything else as long as you know how to use it safely and responsibly.”
As a part of this bill, universities may adopt their own reasonable policies and rules regarding these new laws. However, any adopted policies cannot undermine or interfere with the new campus carry law.
The Senate Bill no. 11. C. H s.b. 411 states, “After consulting with students, staff and faculty of the institution regarding the nature of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus environment, the president or other chief executive officer of an institution or higher education in this state shall establish reasonable rules, regulations or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on the campus of the institution or on premises.”
Examples of areas that might be considered gun free zones might include counseling offices, laboratories with hazardous materials and dormitories.
A UHCL committee is currently being formed to make sure students, faculty and staff handle these changes safely and responsibly. William A. Staples, president of UHCL, will be the lead member of this group.
Allen Hill, interim chief of police for UHCL, will also be an active member of this committee.
“Our number one priority is to keep this environment safe,” Hill said. “When students come to class, they should feel safe and be able to concentrate on school. We will be distributing information widely as we come up with school regulations and we will put these out by all and any means possible to make sure students are receiving all the information they need.”
Hill said that as long as students continue to let the police know anytime they see something suspicious, UHCL can remain a safe campus.
“We have a very safe and involved community at UHCL,” Hill said. “It is important for the students to know if they see anything to let us know.”
A key goal of the committee will be to put student’s minds at ease who are concerned about these new gun laws. Charlie Dominguez, a management information systems student voiced some of those concerns.
“I think that besides the poor reasoning for the bill, it doesn’t make me feel any safer,” Dominquez said. “In fact, it gives me more reason for concern.”
Discussions in the committee meetings include the safety and informative actions UHCL will be taking, and specific rules and regulations the university will adapt regarding designated gun-free zone locations. UHCL will also offer training classes to help educate where these restricted areas are, what information is important to know about this new law and protocol for emergency response.
Once the committee has made final decisions, they will have to present their recommendations, along with a rationale, to the UH Board of Regents. If approved, recommendations go before the legislature in hopes of getting a vote not less than two-thirds in order to get approval.
To request police services or to report any suspicious activity on campus, call the UHCL Police department at (281) 283-2222.
I’m really ashamed of the faculty for opposing campus carry. Every mass shooting so far has been in a gun-free zone. Guns belong in schools. We must protect the future.
The article did touch on this a little bit, but I think there is some misunderstanding about what exactly this new law does, so I want to clarify a couple of things:
1) It is NOT true that anyone will be allowed to carry a handgun on campus. This rule applies only to those who have gone undergone the training and background screening required to obtain a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). If you have a CHL, then starting 8/1/2016, you will be allowed to carry here like you currently carry in other places. If you do not have a CHL, it will remain illegal for you to carry.
2) CHL holders would actually be arrested for carrying their guns in the manner you see in the picture. The handgun must be out of view (i.e. concealed) at all times and should be secured safely in a holster or carrying case.
Bottom line: Please do NOT think that this new law makes it okay to just casually toss a gun into your backpack on the way to class. It doesn’t. If you have a CHL, you probably already know what will be allowed and when. And if you don’t have a CHL (which is the vast majority of people on campus), then nothing changes for you.