HB 2607, the AzCDL-requested Campus Carry bill, was filed on Monday, February 9, 2009, the last day for bills to be filed this session. HB 2607 removes the authority of a governing board to prohibit a person who possesses a CCW permit from carrying a concealed firearm on the property of an educational institution (i.e., College or University).
Also submitted was SB 1270, which would allow for Vermont-style concealed carry (prohibiting, of course, criminals and those in the course of criminal action) without permits. Open carry, as usual, would not be affected.
I’m a strong advocate of both bills, particularly as I open carry regularly wherever I go off-campus (excepting where it’s prohibited, obviously). Being able to carry concealed on campus would allow for myself and other responsible individuals to have the means to defend ourselves from violent criminals which, unfortunately, do not cease their criminal acts at the city-university border.
Since I can already legally open carry in most public places without any sort of permit or license, why should I not also have the right to carry concealed as well? Is there a major difference between having my gun covered by a shirt and not covered by a shirt? People who carry, both openly and concealed, have not been any sort of statistically significant problem here in Arizona, so why not?
According to HB 2607, only the privileged class of 21+ CCW holders can defend themselves on campus.
So what happens when the next Cho Seung-hui enters a freshman writing class and no one is old enough to have a permit? What about those who don’t have the money or time to take the class but already know the laws and can shoot well?
I understand your concern Mike, but the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Patience my freedom loving friend, patience.