SAN MARCOS – In preparation for the implementation of Senate Bill 11, which will allow conceal carry on handguns at universities in Texas, Texas State University has taken steps to appropriately update its policies and procedures.
Along with holding three public forums back in November of 2015, the university put together a task force, which on Monday, made final recommendations as to how the school should proceed in implementing the new law.
Texas Senate Bill 11 (SB 11), goes into effect on August 11, 2016, permitting individuals who hold a concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry guns on public university campuses. The bill was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on June 1, 2015.
According to the recommendations made by the Campus Carry Task Force, the university will not provide gun storage on either the San Marcos or Round Rock campuses. As stated in the list of recommendations, they will request certain exemptions, or “carve-out” zones, “to establish areas exempt from concealed carry that includes areas where the carrying of concealed weapons pose obvious problems”
“Carve-out” zones include areas providing services/events for minors, areas providing health services, areas used for disciplinary, legal compliance and counseling, and where competitive sports (NCAA or UIL) take place.
According to the school’s website, “These recommendations are consistent with the law, our educational mission, and our desire to maintain a safe and secure campus environment while honoring academic freedom, promoting academic discourse, and protecting the rights of citizens.”
You can view a list of the final recommendations on the schools website.
