Starting August 1st, the University of Texas at Austin will allow anyone who has a license to carry a concealed handgun into the classroom. The president of the university reluctantly announced the news this past Wednesday. Texas recently passed a law that would allow people with a license to carry a concealed handgun to do so in public university buildings; which gives colleges the power to create limited “gun-free zones” in certain areas, according to the Washington Post.
“The president, Gregory L. Fenves wrote in a recent letter: “I do not believe handguns belong on a university campus, so this decision has been the greatest challenge of my presidency to date…However, as president, I have an obligation to uphold the law.”
While most private schools in Texas have exercised their right to ban weapons on campus; the University of Texas cannot since it is a public school. Under the new policy, people with a license to carry a concealed weapon must carry it in a holster and without a chambered round of ammunition.
They are allowed to bring their concealed handguns to classrooms, but not sporting events or science laboratories. Additionally, concealed handguns will be banned in residence halls, except in common areas or if carried by a student’s family members or dorm staffers. I’m assuming most of those carrying will be the ones who don’t live on campus. Otherwise, a student will have to give it to their resident advisor when entering the building.
With school violence still an ugly trend, I can’t say I’d personally be too comfortable going to class at a university that allows people to carry. But what do you think? Is this a good thing?
