TexasCHLforum.com

Today, HB 972 (campus carry) passed out of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on a 4-2 vote (Huffman, Carona, Patrick, Schwertner in favor; Whitmire and Rodriguez opposed; Hinojosa absent), despite overwhelming testimony from students, faculty, and Virginia Tech survivors. The bill would de-criminalize the carrying of firearms on college campuses in Texas, even for those universities that opt out.

Rumor has it that Governor Perry will add the bill to his special session call, putting it ahead of important issues like water and education funding.

In order to kill campus carry in a special session, we need sixteen Senate votes. We believe we have those sixteen votes. Our task now is to hold on to them. It is absolutely critical that you call your state senator every day. You can look him or her up here: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you have time, please email john@gunfreeschools.org and volunteer to make some phone calls. We cannot beat this legislation without you.

Thank you so much for all of your hard work thus far.

GEM-Texas wrote:

“The House bill allows public universities to opt out, and allows private schools to opt in, so the presidents of each campus can make the decision. That’s better than (state Sen. Brian) Birdwell’s bill that doesn’t allow that. “

IMHO - this will make the bill meaningless. The vast majority of schools will opt out. The discussions will be pro forma. Staff will not go against antigun administrations.

Also, future attempts to have carry in the future where an antigun president cannot decide for all will be blocked. The option program will be seen as 'reasonable'. The opposition to carry was unreasonable and that's why a legislative mandate was need to override administrations at colleges.

I might be wrong but I don't see this as much use given what I know of administrations.

I am not in favor of administrators decided my basic rights. It should be the realm of the legislative process.

Jaguar wrote:If this passes and makes it so carry is not against the law, yet against university policy, staff and students will be in the same boat as thousands, if not tens of thousands other Texans who work in places where company policy prohibits carry but the business is not posted 30.06 so anyone can walk in carrying.

Present company included.

It is better than being against the law IMHO.