The Texas state legislature passed a bill Monday that would allow people to carry concealed guns in buildings on public college campuses, and Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign it.
The new law would remove a blanket ban on guns on campus at public Texas colleges, though school administrators could still ban guns from specific buildings, CNN reports. Backers of the bill claim it will provide increased individual protection to properly licensed gun-owners, but opponents argue campus shootings could increase and schools will have to pay up to boost security.
Texas is the first state to have a campus-carry bill reach the governor’s desk to be signed. Private universities won’t be affected by the new bill, and openly carrying a weapon on a public college campus would remain prohibited.
[CNN]
Read next: Vince Vaughn Says Banning Guns ‘Like Banning Forks’
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com