Bill would allow guns at college football games

Rep. Erik Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, says his bill to stop Idaho colleges and universities from banning guns on campus - except in undergrad dorms - would allow guns at football games. “It will allow it,” he said. “The state of Utah has had that in effect for seven years, and they’ve had no problems.” He said, “We trust concealed weapons holders to carry on streets, in restaurants and businesses,” he said, asking why they shouldn’t also be trusted to carry guns on campus. His bill applies not only to concealed weapon holders, of course; it also would let anyone openly carry a gun on campus or at a game. “The Constitution allows open carry in the state of Idaho,” Simpson said. “So if somebody has issues with that, they probably need to look at amending the Constitution.”

Simpson’s bill, HB 222, is up for a hearing this morning in the House State Affairs Committee; among those in the room awaiting the hearing are uniformed police officers and university officials. Here, Simpson adjusts his Powerpoint presentation in preparation for the hearing.