Campus gun bill advances

Concealed firearms would be allowed

Fri., March 4, 2011

Mitchell Schmidt Associated Press

BOISE – Idaho lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would curtail the power of administrators to restrict where students, faculty, staff members and visitors can carry concealed firearms on Idaho’s public university and community college campuses.

Rep. Erik Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, says his bill is about making campus safer, and the version approved by the House State Affairs Committee would allow people to carry concealed firearms everywhere on campus except in undergraduate residence halls.

Idaho code allows the carrying of concealed firearms in places like the state Capitol, but not on Idaho campuses.

“That in my mind leaves staff, faculty, and visitors at an extreme disadvantage when facing people who don’t respect the laws of the state of Idaho,” Simpson told the committee Thursday.

Simpson argued his bill would increase safety at the state’s four public universities and community colleges. He said letting students, faculty or others carry concealed guns heightens the chances they could help prevent a violent crime.

He was clear to point out, however, that he’s not encouraging people to act like vigilantes.

Existing statutes give university and college presidents authority to prohibit firearms anywhere on campus. Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College and several community colleges throughout the state have their own regulations.

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