Campus Carry Goes Into Effect at Texas State

By Kyomarys Figueroa
News Reporter

The law known as “Campus Carry” will be implemented at Texas State University beginning August 1st. The mandate (Texas State Bill 11) states, individuals who are licensed holders are permitted to carry concealed handguns on all public university campuses in Texas. Although, universities are not allowed to opt out of this law, the law says university presidents can create rules that determine where it is appropriate to conceal carry.  

“Being a full time student has its pressures and because of the extremes we go through, I do not think campus carry is a good idea. It would do more harm than good as it would invite the answer of violence to situations that could have been handled without the use of a deadly weapon,” said Texas State student, Amairani Valles.

With the law going into effect, Texas State put an FAQ on its website with information about the law itself and how it is going to play out on campus.

It informs faculty, staff and students that if they see an individual with a visible gun they are allowed to report it. Any person carrying must have the proper licensing. However, it is unacceptable to ask a person if they are carrying a concealed weapon, only a magistrate or a police officer is authorized to do so.  

Since university presidents are allowed to set boundaries to Campus Carry, President Trauth, along with the Board of Regents, has made a comprehensive list of where concealed carry is not permitted on campus.

The list includes: Areas providing services for minors or any event for minors, the Child Development Center, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic or certain parts of Rock Round Campus, premises providing health care services, the Student Health Cen

ters and Counseling Centers; any setting that is used for legal and disciplinary matters such as the 5th floor of LBJ, any residential or government events, the President’s house, the 3rd floor of LBJ when it is used in government proceedings. Additionally, premises used for sporting events- examples are: Bobcat Stadium, Strahan Coliseum, Track and Field Stadium Bobcat, Baseball and Softball Complex.

The FAQ not only provides more insight on the law and how it will be going into effect on campus, but gives information on how to deal with emergency situations, in the likelihood there is an active shooter.  

Texas State, will start training faculty, staff, and incoming students on what to do in the case of an active shooter. The University will also be posting written instructions in classrooms as to how to handle and response to an active shooter. If an individual is licensed they are allowed to shoot at an active shooter, keeping in mind that they are doing that as a private citizen not acting on behalf of the university.  

“Please know that safety is our highest priority… I invite you to provide me with continuous feedback about the Campus Carry implementation process by using the online survey that can be found on the Campus Carry website,” said President Trauth, in a mass email sent to the university.

In her email she stated she will be reviewing the rules and processes as the year goes on.  

If you would like more information please go to http://www.txstate.edu/campuscarry.