The Brady Campaign claimed Tuesday, July 8, 2009, the NRA and SCCC failed miserably with their attempts to pass legislation that would allow trained, licensed, adults the ability to carry concealed handguns on college campuses. Contrary to this claim, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus achieved significant success in multiple states throughout the past year, and momentum continues favorably.
The Brady Campaign argues lawmakers were attempting to force colleges and universities to allow students to take loaded, hidden handguns into classrooms. This emotional claim deviates from the fact that proposed legislation would have only lifted the current ban on concealed handgun license holders on college campuses. Not a single piece of proposed legislation would have forced anyone to carry a concealed handgun on a college campus. The only enforcement individuals currently have is that of being defenseless in the event of an attack on a college campus.
Legislation was introduced in 13 states during the last legislative session, receiving wide support from both Republicans and Democrats. Those states include Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
The most notable success stories have been seen in Arizona, Missouri, North Dakota, Texas and Michigan.
Arizona HB2349 passed the Senate, but was pulled by the author to work out concerns with other lawmakers before the next session. Missouri HB645 was amended in to HB668, which then overwhelmingly passed the House with 105 votes for and 50 votes against. HB668 died in the Senate committee. North Dakota HB1348 passed the House and ended up with 23 votes for and 23 votes against in the Senate. Texas SB1164 passed the Senate but never made it to the House floor for a vote due to the Democratic filibuster which resulted in hundreds of bills being killed. SB1164 bill was expected to pass the House because a majority of representatives were already signed on as sponsors to the identical House version, HB1893.
Success was established at Michigan State University, without any legislative action. Although guns remain prohibited from Michigan State University dorms, classrooms and sports stadiums, those with concealed weapons permits now can carry a firearm through campus, following a MSU Board of Trustees vote June 20, 2008.
SCCC understands the legislative process and recognizes the persistence it takes to pass legislation in multiple states. Although The Brady Campaign depicts nationwide efforts by SCCC and the NRA as a miserable failure, SCCC recognizes the hurdles crossed and will continue to prepare for legislative sessions to follow. An overview of the concealed carry movement reveals that it took roughly ten years for states to pass legislation before the idea became a trend throughout other states. The progress SCCC has made in just over two years exceeds even the early advances of the original concealed carry movement.
For more information contact Katie Kasprzak at Katie.Kasprzak@ConcealedCampus.org.
ABOUT STUDENTS FOR CONCEALED CARRY ON CAMPUS – Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is a national, non-partisan, grassroots organization comprised of over 40,000 college students, college faculty members, parents of college students, and concerned citizens who believe that holders of concealed handgun permits should enjoy the same rights on college campuses that current laws afford them virtually everywhere else. SCCC is dedicated to persuading state governments and school administrators to approve laws and campus policies that will grant all citizens with concealed handgun licenses the right to carry their concealed handguns on college campuses. SCCC is not affiliated with the NRA, a political party, or any other organization.
