University of Texas Begrudgingly Allows Guns on Campus

University of Texas has reluctantly allowed guns on campus following a recent law favouring gun-rights activists.

File photo of protesters gathering in the University of Texas campus to oppose a new state law that allows weapons on public college campuses. (Photo: AP)

Concealed handguns will be allowed in University of Texas classrooms but generally banned from dorms under rules begrudgingly approved on Wednesday by the school’s president, whose hand was forced by a new state law.

Like many who study or work at the school in liberal Austin, President Greg Fenves opposes allowing guns on the roughly 50,000-student campus.

Texas’ universities had been gun-free zones under the state’s previous concealed handgun laws, but the Republican-dominated Legislature voted last year to force public universities to allow license holders to bring their guns to campus starting 1 August.

“I do not believe handguns belong on a university campus, so this decision has been the greatest challenge of my presidency to date,” Fenves said in announcing his decision to adopt rules recommended by a campus study group in December.

Gun-rights activists insist the right to have weapons on campus falls under the Second Amendment and they call it a critical self-defense measure.

However, the so-called “campus carry” measure has met with fierce resistance from students, faculty and other staff, including University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven, the former head of US Special Operations Command who directed the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.

In most cases, a person must be 21 years old to get a gun license in Texas, which trims the gun-carrying student population a bit. And while licensed students will be allowed to bring their handguns to class, they won’t be able to do so openly. A separate law that allows the open carry of handguns doesn’t apply to college campuses.

Gun-Free UT, a group of students, faculty and staff, has said allowing guns in classrooms will create a threatening atmosphere and chill free speech in academics.

Guns will generally be banned from dorm rooms, but they will be allowed in residence hall common areas such as dining rooms and study areas.

Family members who are licensed to carry can keep their weapons when visiting students. University staff members who are licensed to carry may also hold onto their weapons if they must enter a dorm.

The rules now go to the University of Texas System Regents for review. If no changes are made within 90 days, the rules will be final.