Texas A&M Officials Release Recommendations On 'Campus Carry' Compliance

COLLEGE STATION, TX -- Texas A&M University officials have issued their recommended rules related to the open carry of concealed handguns on campus, ahead of the August implementation of a law allowing licensed firearms to tote them on school grounds.

The new law -- the so-called “campus carry” legislation championed by conservative lawmakers -- will allow concealed handguns in classrooms and dorms -- effectively in any facility “...owned or operated, or leased and operated, by the institution,” university officials said in a statement.

The new set of recommendations was first approved by Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, and are now slated for approval by the university board of regents on April 27.

Public universities have been reacting to passage of Bill 11 -- dubbed the “campus carry” law -- that is scheduled to take effect Aug. 1. As institutions partially funded by the government, public universities are forced to comply with the upcoming law -- unlike private universities, many of which have opted out of allowing guns on campus altogether in spite of the new law.

As part of its tailored guidelines Texas A&M is seeking to ban guns at scientific laboratories, research areas, counseling centers and health care facilities. Also, school officials are hoping to be able to ban guns where formal administrative hearings are staged, sports venues hosting intercollegiate athletic meets are held, among other sensitive areas.

“No rule proposed by any Texas A&M System member prohibits a licensed holdre from carrying a concealed handgun in classrooms or residential facilities owned and operated, or leased and operated, by the institution,” college officials wrote in a statement.

“However, in keeping with the law, there will be certain locations throughout the System where concealed carry will, or may at time, be prohibited.”

To illustrate, system officials cited residential facilities at various campuses.

“Three institutions — Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M International University, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi — have residential facilities that are leased by a third party management company,” officials noted. “While the universities do not oppose licensed concealed carry in campus residential facilities, their proposed rules acknowledge the property right of the management company to determine restrictions on the possession and storage of weapons in those facilities.”

Moreover, school officials said they would defer to leasing agents to determine where to allow concealed handguns, officials said.

“Generally, Texas A&M System members will defer to the property rights of lessees, allowing them make determinations about the allowance of concealed handguns on their premises,” officials wrote. “State law prohibits carrying a concealed handgun on the premises in which an interscholastic event is taking place. Additionally, Texas A&M System rules grant the presidents and CEOs of member institutions the authority to prohibit concealed carry on a temporary basis as necessary for institutional safety.”

To read the full statement, click here.