Idaho Advances Bill to Allow Guns on College Campuses

Idaho lawmakers voted Thursday to allow concealed guns to be carried onto college and university campuses, so long as the weapons stay out of the dorms or large entertainment venues seating more than 1,000 people.

The legislation, which passed the state House 50 to 19, is now on the desk of Republican Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, who supports the proposal on Second Amendment grounds, the Spokesman-Review reports.

While the proposal has broad support in the state legislature—the Senate passed the bill in February, 25 to 10—there is overwhelming opposition among members of the Idaho education community. All eight public university presidents, the state Board of Education, faculty senates and student associations oppose the measure, according to the Spokesman-Review. Greg Hampikian, a professor of biology and criminal justice at Boise State University, penned an op-ed for the New York Times titled “When May I Shoot A Student?”

But the proposal passed Idaho’s conservative state assembly, in which Democrats control a fourth or less of the House and Senate, with the strong support of the National Rifle Association.

[Spokesman-Review]