Bill would allow concealed weapons on college campuses

“People say you can’t have guns on campus because it causes shootings,” said Sen. Cary Smith, R-Billings, who introduced the bill. “I would argue it prevents some of these tragedies.”

The 25-24 vote leaves it unclear whether the bill will pass and move to the House upon a final vote expected this week. Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a similar bill in 2013, saying guns and college campuses don’t mix.

Sen. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre, who supports the bill, said women should be able to carry guns on campus for protection.

“College campuses are full of dark pathways and large parking lots,” she said. “I don’t think there are a ton of women who want to carry a gun, but I do think there are some, and the Constitution gives them the right to do so.”

Under Senate Bill 143, Montana’s board of regents would keep the authority to regulate the firing of guns and possession of guns at campus events where alcohol is served. They also could regulate guns in dorms if a gun owner’s roommates don’t give permission to keep a gun there.

The bill would also allow some regulation on taking a weapon out of a holster, pointing it at a person and how weapons are secured.

Sen. Mary McNally, D-Billings, a faculty member at Montana State University-Billings who opposes the bill, said current regulations put in place by the board of regents work.

“I find campuses to be quite safe,” she said. “I think women know how to take care of themselves.”

Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, said he remains opposed to the bill despite the criticism he’s received on other gun bills.

“When there is a shooting on campus and the SWAT team comes in … SWAT don’t know who friendlies are,” he said, and armed students who try to handle a situation themselves could be killed or injured by SWAT personnel.

Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin allow the carrying of concealed weapons on public post-secondary campuses.

The Montana Senate narrowly endorsed a bill Feb. 4 that would allow people to carry concealed weapons on college campuses in Montana.

“People say you can’t have guns on campus because it causes shootings,” said Sen. Cary Smith, R-Billings, who introduced the bill. “I would argue it prevents some of these tragedies.”

The 25-24 vote leaves it unclear whether the bill will pass and move to the House upon a final vote expected this week. Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a similar bill in 2013, saying guns and college campuses don’t mix.

Sen. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre, who supports the bill, said women should be able to carry guns on campus for protection.

“College campuses are full of dark pathways and large parking lots,” she said. “I don’t think there are a ton of women who want to carry a gun, but I do think there are some, and the Constitution gives them the right to do so.”

Under Senate Bill 143, Montana’s board of regents would keep the authority to regulate the firing of guns and possession of guns at campus events where alcohol is served. They also could regulate guns in dorms if a gun owner’s roommates don’t give permission to keep a gun there.

The bill would also allow some regulation on taking a weapon out of a holster, pointing it at a person and how weapons are secured.

Sen. Mary McNally, D-Billings, a faculty member at Montana State University-Billings who opposes the bill, said current regulations put in place by the board of regents work.

“I find campuses to be quite safe,” she said. “I think women know how to take care of themselves.”

Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, said he remains opposed to the bill despite the criticism he’s received on other gun bills.

“When there is a shooting on campus and the SWAT team comes in … SWAT don’t know who friendlies are,” he said, and armed students who try to handle a situation themselves could be killed or injured by SWAT personnel.

Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin allow the carrying of concealed weapons on public post-secondary campuses.