SB 731 - Under current law, a concealed carry permit does not allow a person to carry concealed firearms into any higher education institution without the consent of the governing body of the institution or a school official. This act removes the prohibition on the carrying of concealed firearms into higher education institutions and instead provides a process for such institutions to apply to the Department of Public Safety for an exemption to the rule that concealed firearms may be carried on their property. If a higher education institution has received an exemption from the Public Safety Department and has posted the premises as being off-limits to concealed firearms as required by this act, then a person with a concealed carry permit is prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm on the property of the institution.
This act requires the Department of Public Safety to grant an exemption for a higher education institution if the institution can demonstrate the permanent placement of security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices at each entrance to any building on the property, a requirement that security personnel screen each person entering the building for weapons, and a requirement that any weapons found be held by security personnel while the person is in the building. The department is provided authority to make rules for the administration of the exemption and must design any necessary forms.
This provision is identical to HB 1910 (2016) and is similar to SB 589 (2016), HB 1899 (2016), and HB 2698 (2016).
MEGHAN LUECKE