Senate advances bill to allow concealed weapons on college campuses

By Cy Ryan

Saturday, May 28, 2011 | 2:56 p.m.

CARSON CITY – By a 15-6 vote, the Senate on Saturday approved a bill to allow concealed guns on the campuses of Nevada universities and community colleges.

Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, said Senate Bill 231 would permit people to protect themselves from someone such as a rapist or possible killer.

Students are out late at night and this “allows personal protection,” he said, adding that a student at UNR was raped about 100 yards from the campus police station.

He argued there would be no increased safety risk since someone would first need a concealed weapon permit from the local sheriff’s office.

But Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said there “is much danger in this bill,” adding that it wouldn't result in increased safety on campuses.

Current law prohibits a person from carrying a concealed weapon on a campus unless he or she gets permission from the university or college president. The bill would permit someone to have a concealed weapon unless the individual is attending an event held at a sporting location with a seating capacity of 1,000 or more.

Under the bill, campus police would be authorized to offer courses in firearm safety.

Joining Leslie in opposition to the bill were Las Vegas Democrats Shirley Breeden, Majority Leader Steven Horsford, Ruben Kihuen, Michael Schneider and Valerie Wiener. Senate Bill 231 now goes to the Assembly.