Opponents of SB 1254, the guns-on-campus bill, are planning a big Statehouse rally today at 12:30 in front of the Capitol. Boise State University Student Body President Bryan Vlok said, “There isn’t one major stakeholder in Idaho who supports SB 1254. From the Idaho State Board of Education to the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, Idahoans have made it clear they don’t want this bill passed.” Vlok is part of a coalition that also includes student leaders from the University of Idaho, North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College, and has dubbed itself the "Coalition to Keep Guns off Campus." Every Idaho public college or university president has come out against the bill, as have faculty and police groups; click below for the coalition's full announcement.

The bill already has passed the Senate; it's up for a House committee hearing tomorrow morning.

For Immediate Release

February 26, 2014

 

 

Coalition to Keep Guns Off Campus Announces Protest

 

Boise, ID - The Coalition to Keep Guns Off Campus announced an event on the steps of the Capitol on Thursday, February 27th at 12:30pm. The coalition is made up of students, student associations, professors, parents and community members who oppose SB 1254.

 

One of the event organizers, Bryan Vlok, Student Body President of Boise State University (BSU) stated: “There isn’t one major stakeholder in Idaho who supports SB 1254. From the Idaho State Board of Education to the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, Idahoans have made it clear they don’t want this bill passed.”

 

Max Cowan, the Student Body President of University of Idaho, stated: “This is an issue that affects students directly and we’d like this decision made close to home, on our campuses.”

 

Cassie Sullivan, Student Body Vice President of BSU stated: “Regardless of which political party we affiliate with, we agree that this bill isn’t for the benefit of student campuses. It is difficult to understand the basis our legislators are using to support SB 1254, it is clearly not representative of the constituents it affects.”

 

Another organizer, Emily Walton stated: “When you have the Presidents of Idaho’s colleges and universities opposing SB 1254 but they’re ignored, it’s clear the legislature isn’t listening to the people who have a stake in this matter.”

 

The students will also be delivering approximately 2,500 signatures from Idahoans who oppose this bill to the House State Affairs hearing on SB 1254 Friday at 8am.

 

Coalition members opposing SB 1254:

Associated Students of North Idaho College

Associated Students of University of Idaho

Associated Students of Boise State University

Associated Students of Lewis-Clark State College

The Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Idaho Chapter

 

Presidents from these Colleges and Universities oppose SB 1254:

North Idaho College

University of Idaho

Boise State University

Idaho State University

College of Western Idaho

College of Southern Idaho

Eastern Idaho Technical College

Lewis-Clark State College

 

Faculty organizations that have issued statements opposing SB 1254:

Lewis-Clark State College Faculty Senate

University of Idaho Faculty Senate

Boise State University Faculty Senate

North Idaho College Faculty Assembly

 

Statewide organizations opposing SB 1254:

Idaho State Board of Education

Idaho Chiefs of Police Association

 

 

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