1. The concealed carry law only applies to universities ... for now.
SB 11 takes effect Aug. 1, 2017 for community colleges, so community colleges have another year to implement campus carry. Collin College is watching how four-year institutions' policies are received before crafting its own, Collin College Police Chief Bill Taylor said.
Taylor said the environment and student demographics at community colleges are more complex than at four-year institutions. At a community college, the ages of students range from age 14-70, Taylor said. The additional year will give the community college's police department an opportunity to seek policies that work best for Collin College, he said.
Taylor also said during the fall semester, the police department with the Department of Student Affairs will host open forums on each of the campuses to discuss the concealed carry law.
"We're hoping to get a really good cross section of the community of both people who are pro campus carry and those who are apprehensive about campus carry so they can have a good discussion, which I think they need to have," Taylor said.
Taylor said in the spring, more open forums will be planned directed toward those who plan to bring a concealed handgun on campus. The forums will be an opportunity for those people to know what to expect from police officers if they are responding to a situation on campus, he said.
2. Openly carrying firearms is still illegal on college campuses.
Open carry, also known as House Bill 910, which allows license holders to openly carry holstered handguns in public spaces, is still prohibited at all colleges.
3. Private institutions can opt out of campus carry.
Amberson University, a private university with campuses in Frisco and Garland, has decided to comply with SB 11 at both campuses.
"Amberton is unique in that our enrollment is limited to the mature, working adult seeking to finish a bachelor's degree or to begin or complete graduate studies," Amberton University spokesperson Ben Warner said.
The university does not admit anyone younger than age 21, has no campus housing, no sporting events, no social clubs and no dining facilities. Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the campuses as is the use of illegal drugs.
"Considering the unique nature of the Amberton student and campus environment, Amberton University has chosen to comply with [SB 11] by allowing individuals with valid handgun licenses to exercise their rights as provided by [the state] to carry their concealed handguns onto Amberton campuses and premises," Warner said.
4. The law goes into effect on the 5oth anniversary of the UT Tower shooting.
Aug. 1 also marks the 50th anniversary of the UT Tower shooting, when gunman Charles Whitman opened fire on 49 people and killed 16. A ceremony is taking place to dedicate a memorial to the victims of the tragedy.
