Texas Senate OKs guns on college campus bill today

AUSTIN — A bill to allow college students and employees to carry their concealed handguns on campus won final passage today on a 19-12 vote in the Senate.

The bill would allow college students who are at least 21 years old and licensed to carry concealed handguns to bring those weapons into state campus buildings. University hospitals and athletic facilities would remain off limits to guns.

It applies to all universities and colleges in the state, but private institutions would be able to opt out.

With the exceptions of Alaska and Vermont, we need the state's permission to bear arms and protect ourselves. The citizens of Texas may soon get permission to protect themselves on college campuses.