Call of Duty 5: Campus Edition

Jason Seidel
The Signal
A fight broke out last month at Houston’s Lone Star College after two students had a disagreement. Shots rang out, leaving three people injured.  While details are still emerging, one thing is clear: students are not allowed to carry concealed guans on campus … for the time being.

The Texas Legislature is currently trying to pass S.B. No. 182 that would allow students of higher education to carry concealed handguns on campus grounds – not just in student’s vehicle, which is already permitted, but on their person, into class, with other students.  The only requirement is that the student will need to have a concealed handgun license, more commonly known as a CHL.

“Texas Penal Code Statute 46.03 prevents firearms and other weapons from our campus for the safety of our students, faculty and staff,” said William Staples, president of UHCL. “This law was created to allow students a safe space to learn and employees to work, and we believe UHCL provides this, not only because of the law but because of the police force we have on campus.”

However, if passed, S.B. No. 182 would override Penal Code Statue 46.03.

“Subject to the requirements in S.B. 182 and current CHL law, the bill would create an exception to the offense of carrying a weapon in a prohibited place,” said Senator Larry Taylor, one of the authors of S.B. No. 182.

The bill is being met with mixed reaction across the campus.

“As long as they’re [students] licensed to carry, I don’t see a problem with it,” said Melanie Gregory, assistant manager of the UHCL bookstore.

“I think it’s a bad idea,” said Michael Smith, assistant administrator for UHCL. “There is more possibility of accidents like accidental discharge.”

Nearly half of the states have already passed similar legislation.

“No evidence of increased violence exists in the 23 other states that allow for CHLs to carry on campus,” Taylor said “Allowing trained students and faculty to protect themselves should deter shooting incidents.”

There have been four mass shootings on college campuses since the 1960s: Oikos University shooting occurred April 2, 2012; Northern Illinois University in 2008; Virginia Tech in 2007; and the University of Texas shooting in 1966, when Charles Whitman killed 14 people and wounded 32 others from the UT Tower.

The FBI defines mass shootings as “four or more murders occurring during a particular event with no cooling-off period between the murders.”

“There has never been an active shooter at UHCL or any shooting for that matter,” said Paul Willingham, UHCL’s chief of police.

In order to get a CHL in the state of Texas, applicants will need to be at least 21 (unless active military), have no felony convictions and no Class A or B misdemeanors in the last five years.

That is the requirements applicants need in order to be eligible for a CHL.  There is also a mandated 10-hour class, two of those hours involving range time.  In addition, applicants will also need to pass a more detailed background check, which is different than the one required to purchase a gun.

Some believe that acquiring a CHL might not be enough training to handle an active shooter on campus.

“A CHL should be like a driver’s license with different classes providing different training,” said Billy Smith, graduate history major.

Having additional training still may not be enough to comfort all faculty members, students and staff.

“Currently I feel very safe in my classroom,” said Stuart Larson, associate professor of applied design and art. “But I have wondered, if the law passes, who in my class will be carrying an instant kill weapon. Do I need to get a concealed weapon to protect my students, or for protection from my students?”

To join in on the discussion, follow The Signal’s staff blog.

To view the actual Senate bill, check out www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/SB00182I.htm.