From left: David Daniel, University of Texas System Deputy Chancellor; Steven Goode, University of Texas at Austin Law School Professor; and Fernando Gomez, Texas State University System vice chancellor and general counsel, explain the statewide campus carry law going into effect Aug. 1.[/caption]

At a SXSWedu discussion March 8 at Hilton Austin, representatives from the University of Texas System, The University of Texas at Austin and The Texas State University System elaborated on the law going into effect Aug. 1 that allows students with a concealed handgun license to carry on campus.

UT System Deputy Chancellor David Daniel said only students with a CHL can campus carry, and a CHL applicant has to meet certain requirements including being 21 or older.

The passage of Senate Bill 11, the legislation that expanded campus carry laws to public universities, caused arguments both in favor of and against guns on campus. Steven Goode, UT Law School professor, said it has been a controversial issue at UT, noting that the university received 32,000 online comments on its website, two public forums were held and the second one has more than 32,000 views online.

“This is an emotional issue,” Daniel said.

Daniel said he also hopes campus carry becomes a non-issue and people go about their work researching and learning.

Goode said the best outcome for him would be if the law ends up being repealed.

“I agree with my colleagues, we are in the business of education and we need to get back to that as quickly as possible,” said Fernando Gomez, Texas State University System vice chancellor and general counsel. “Time will tell if this is a wise law or not.”