When Houston Community College students begin classes Aug. 28, they can expect some new signage around the system's different campuses. As of Aug. 1 concealed carrying of handguns is permitted on Texas community college campuses, including HCC. The law—Senate Bill 11, passed in 2015—took effect at four-year institutions last year.

To carry concealed, the person must have a license to carry, must carry the handgun in a holster and the gun may not be partially or wholly visible. This means students may carry a holstered handgun inside their purses or backpacks, but HCC Police Chief Greg Cunningham recommended that if someone is going to carry that they do so on their person.

HCC Northwest College in Katy designated its testing rooms as weapons-free zones once the Campus Carry law took effect at community colleges Aug. 1.[/caption]

"If someone is going to take something from you, it may be your purse or backpack," he said.

Open carry remains prohibited on all college campuses but concealed handguns are permitted in designated areas, and HCC campuses can also designate "weapons-free zones." At HCC's Northwest College in Katy, this includes testing rooms and a room for staff and students to have potentially difficult or emotional conversations.

"We’ve also identified some labs where it’s just not appropriate to have weapons," Cunningham said regarding the HCC system.

Entire buildings cannot be made permanent weapons-free zones, but the community college system will still prohibit handguns at locations being used for high school, collegiate or professional sporting events or interscholastic events.

Locations used as established places of worship, as designated polling places during elections and locations used by a court—unless the carrier has written authorization from the court—are also off limits to concealed carry.

In addition, people cannot carry concealed at HCC wherever a grades K-12 school-sponsored activity takes place, or in rooms where a meeting protected under the Open Meetings Act is happening. HCC is responsible for posting signage identifying weapons-free zones, but license holders are also responsible for knowing those areas, according to the college system policy.

The policy was written after gathering feedback from students and staff nearly a year ago. This year, faculty and students at HCC will be required to undergo training on the new rules.

"The name of the game is we want people to be as comfortable as possible," Cunningham said.