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baldeagle

Here's my notes.

At the beginning of testimony Senator Whitmire said, "I don't think the testimony is going to change many people's minds. It might."

They missed an opportunity. One witness asked the Senators on the committee, what if they took away the metal detectors here at the capitol building? Would you feel safe then? (Referring to the fact that schools wouldn't have metal detectors.)

Not ONE Senator said, "Are you aware that CHL holders don't go through those metal detectors?"

A Math professor from Baylor, who claims he left Utah, in part, because they passed campus carry, said that when guns are used it's "a certainty" that lives would be lost. No it isn't. Almost 80% of people shot with a handgun survive.

Whitmire asked the female representative from Texas Gun Sense (gun control proponents) which of two bills she would choose; the current bill that is a watered down version? Or a stricter version that was a certainty to pass in a special session? Made me wonder what he knows that he isn't saying. He said, if you defeat this bill we're gonna have a special session and a stronger version with no opt-out will pass.

She said she would prefer neither bill. Whitmire said that's not an option. Which bill do you prefer? She stuck to her guns. (Pun intended.)

So I'm feeling pretty good that this bill will pass the Senate.

Along with HB 972, the committee also sent HB 485 and HB 698 to the floor, but HB 1349 was placed on pending. Whitmire said he wanted the whole committee to vote on it. (There were only five members there today.)

baldeagle

J.R.@A&M wrote:Over the past couple of sessions, there have been recurring arguments that go something like this:

Pro-Campus Carry: "What are you campus carry opponents so riled up about? We've been carrying for years in the nearby movie theaters and grocery stores and you didn't care then."

Campus Carry Opponent: "No, campus buildings are special/sacred/etc. No guns on campus."

Pro-Campus Carry: "There have been guns on campus for a long time... It is legal for CHLs to carry on the sidewalks and school grounds. The line between the legal/unrestricted area and the campus building is arbitrary."

Campus Carry Opponent: "Campus buildings are special/sacred/etc. No guns on campus."

If HB 290 passes, it would be possible for non-staff, non-student CHL folks to legally carry in public university buildings, WITH NO RESTRICTION. Given that, I would carry at Texas Tech the next time I visit there, just to say that I did, and to establish a precedent to extend the above conversation:

Pro-Campus Carry: "There have been guns on campus for a long time... and now also in campus buildings since the 2013 session, and nothing bad happened. The line between the outside grounds and the campus building WAS arbitrary and meaningless after all."

Those are all fine and dandy, but my argument would be, the bad guys are carrying on campus now. Does Virginia Tech ring a bell? How about Shepherd University? Failing University of Arizona Nursing College? Appalachian School of Law? The University of Arkansas? San Diego State? And on and on and on and on. Only a fool would think that criminals will obey a sign that says Gun Free Zone. It's proven time and time again that they do not. So, by denying law abiding citizens the right to carry on your premises, what you do is make it easier for the criminals to commit their murders. That's not something I would be proud of. Nor would I want to continue it.

baldeagle

So it's no longer illegal but they can still prohibit it. And as an employee I could be fired for violating policy. And that's called progress? {{{sigh}}} My gun still stays in the car, and I'm not better off than I was before this law was passed (if indeed it is passed.)

baldeagle

The bill states that "For purposes of this section:
(1) "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code."
Institution of higher education, then, means:

(8) "Institution of higher education" means any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit, public state college, or other agency of higher education as defined in this section.

The bill then goes on to say:

(b) The president or other chief executive officer of an
institution of higher education in this state, on behalf of the
institution, and after consulting with law enforcement, students,
staff, and faculty of the institution, may adopt written rules or
regulations prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns on
premises owned or leased and operated by the institution, on any
grounds or building owned or leased by the institution and on which
an activity sponsored by the institution is being conducted, or on a
passenger transportation vehicle of the institution. A written rule
or regulation adopted under this subsection may remain in effect
for not more than one year after the date of adoption and may be
renewed, reenacted, or reenacted and amended by the institution
only after consultation with students, staff, and faculty of the
institution.
(c) An institution of higher education that does not adopt a
rule or regulation under Subsection (b), or a private or
independent institution of higher education that does not adopt a
rule, regulation, or other provision or take any other action
described by Section 46.03(j), Penal Code, shall adopt written
rules or regulations concerning:
(1) the storage of handguns in dormitories or other
residential facilities that are owned or leased and operated by the
institution; and
(2) the carrying of concealed handguns by license
holders at collegiate sporting events or other official mass
gatherings that take place on grounds or buildings owned or leased
and operated by the institution.
(d) An institution of higher education or private or
independent institution of higher education in this state may not
adopt or enforce any rule, regulation, or other provision or take
any other action, including posting notice under Section 30.06,
Penal Code, prohibiting a student enrolled at that institution who
holds a license to carry a concealed handgun under Subchapter H,
Chapter 411, Government Code, from transporting or storing a
handgun of the same category the student is licensed to carry or
ammunition for that handgun in a locked, privately owned motor
vehicle or a motor vehicle leased by or for the student:

I don't see any way that can be read as to prohibit public institutions from preventing carry on their campuses.

Maybe someone can enlighten me? That may be what Fletcher said, but the bill was amended eight times before it was engrossed.

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