Rice University to Defy Texas Campus Carry Law
This will undoubtedly lead to a lawsuit. All it will take is for one student who’s licensed to carry.
USA Today reports.
Rice University opts out of Texas campus carry law
Rice University in Houston announced Monday that it will uphold its current weapons prohibition policy and remain gun-free — despite a Texas state law permitting concealed carry on college campuses set to go into effect August of 2016.
In a statement published on the school’s website, university President David Leebron said the decision was the product of an “extensive consultation process” with students and faculty members.
“Not a single constituency consulted has endorsed having guns on our campus; in fact, each overwhelming opposed it. Maintaining the safety of our students and employees is our highest priority,” Leebron wrote. “There is no evidence that allowing the carrying of guns on our campus will make the campus safer, and the most knowledgeable professional groups believe that guns will make campuses less safe.”
The private university joins a growing list of others opting out of their respective state’s concealed carry laws. Eight states currently permit campus carry, according to the National Conference of State Legislature.
Comments
Rice is “defying” nothing. They are merely exercising their legal choice that the state gave them under the law.
Only if they are a “true” private university. My guess is that they happily take state money and claim non-profit status like the vast majority of universities. That kicks in a lot of regulations when you do so.
I look forward to the lawsuit and for Texas to take away their tax exempt status and turn off the money spigot. If Rice really wants to be a private university they should put their money where their mouth is.
But—but—the people at Rice are soooo smart, nothing bad will ever happen to them on their campus.