Resolution

Whereas, following school shootings at Virginia Tech (2007) and Northern Illinois University (2008), the gun lobby’s response was to promote legislation that would prohibit colleges and universities across the country from regulating firearms on college campuses and allow faculty, students and non-law enforcement staff to possess and carry concealed handguns; and

Whereas, in recent years, legislation has been introduced in more than 25 states that would prohibit colleges and universities from adopting policies that regulate possession of firearms on campus; and

Whereas, one state – Utah – passed legislation in 2004 that prohibits public schools or state institutions of higher education from adopting or enforcing any “policy pertaining to firearms that in anyway inhibits or restricts the possession or use of firearms on either public or private property;” and

Whereas, in addition to Utah, several more states (Arkansas, Idaho, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin) have passed legislation to legalize conceal carry in various forms on college and university campuses, and

Whereas, colleges and universities have a legal duty to adopt policies to promote a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff, and

Whereas, the vast majority of educational and law enforcement professionals believe that prohibiting firearms on college campuses, except by trained security officers, is an essential element of an overall school safety plan; therefore

The Institution/Organization/President below is opposed to legislation that would preempt an educational institution’s right to prohibit or adopt policies to regulate possession of firearms on campus.