Bill to permit concealed weapons on college campuses falls short

By Cy Ryan

Monday, June 6, 2011 | 7:57 p.m.

CARSON CITY – A bill to permit students and faculty members to carry concealed weapons on university and college campuses has quietly died.

Chairman William Horne of the Assembly Judiciary Committee didn't bring the bill up for a vote. Horne, D-Las Vegas, said the committee was split on Senate Bill 231, which was opposed by law enforcement and many faculty members who testified against the bill.

The current law requires an individual to get permission from the campus president to carry a concealed weapon. Chancellor Dan Klaich said only five requests have been granted, but he couldn’t tell the Judiciary Committee how many had sought permission.

At a three-hour committee hearing last month, there was testimony that a concealed weapon on campus wouldn't foster education in the classroom. Students seeing a concealed weapon might fear for their safety and not concentrate on their education, officials said.

Some faculty representatives said they would have concerns about their own safety.

In support of the bill was former UNR student Amanda Collins, who testified she was raped in a garage only 100 feet from a police station on the Reno campus. She said she owned a gun, but obeyed the law and left her weapon at home.

The bill had been passed by the Senate 15-6.