Campus carry gun bill one step closer to becoming Texas law

A bill that would allow students and others to carry a concealed handgun on college campuses is one step closer to becoming law in Texas after the Senate passed the campus carry measure Saturday afternoon.

The passage came the day after legislative approval of another bill that would allow Texans to openly carry their weapons.

The House and the Senate agreed to send the campus carry bill to a full vote after a deal was struck allowing college presidents to create gun-free zones.

The concession was agreed to after higher education officials opposed allowing handguns in classrooms.

The lawmakers agreed that universities have unique areas such as hospitals, laboratories, daycares and grade school facilities where people shouldn’t be armed.

Some gun advocates don’t like the idea of open carry in the state nor guns on campuses.

“I had good training. I was always around guns. My dad was always showing me how to shoot guns,” said KVIA employee Shaun Feliz.

Feliz, a veteran and a gun enthusiast, has had a conceal carry license for about a year and a half.

He feels the open carry and campus carry can come with safety issues.

“It’s an invitation for trouble and people see it as intimidating,” said Feliz.

State Sen. Jose Rodriguez, an opponent of the bill, released this statement after it passed the in the Senate:

“While I and the majority of my constituents do not agree, they had the votes to pass this legislation. This is how our democracy works, and while I voted against the bill, I respect the process.”

A supporter of the bill, the National Rifle Association Executive Director, Chris Cox, sent ABC-7 this statement:
“The passage of this common sense law expands law abiding citizens’ right to exercise their constitutional freedoms and affirms Texans’ long tradition of supporting the Second Amendment.”

Feliz says on-or off-campus gun education should play an important role.

“For campus carry if they do make it legal they should have a course. Not only should you take the concealed course the state demands but the college has a course separate and shows the protocol,” said Feliz.

The House is expected to have the final vote Sunday. If approved, Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law. It would take effect Aug, 1, 2016.