OK House of Reps passes Campus Concealed Carry

3/13/08 - Okla. House Passes Campus Gun Bill (Associated Press)

House Bill 2513 introduced by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie...

The state House agreed Thursday to allow people with specialized firearms training, such as military personnel, to carry concealed weapons on the state's college campuses, despite opponents who said it made no sense following shootings at schools across the country.

The measure was approved 65-36, and now heads to the state Senate for a vote.

More can be read at the AP link above.

It is a fairly limited concealed carry bill, but at least it is a start. From what the AP story says, only those with "with firearms training certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education who hold a state concealed weapons license to carry guns on college and university campuses." It also allows active, reserve, honorably discharged military and Guard members to carry concealed as well. This helps to insure that trained and qualified persons have such permits. I don't have much of a problem with this as long as the certified training for civilians isn't to restrictive and inordinately difficult to obtain. I don't mind if the training is difficult, but the process of getting enrolled should be as easy as filling our an enrollment form and paying any necessary fees.

That being said, this next part concerns me.

Murphey's bill would require people authorized to carry a concealed handgun to provide written notice to the university or college president prior to bringing a gun on campus.

This gives the Libs that control college campi a chance to discriminate against law abiding gun owners. Is there any assurance that they will not publish these names? Or give each professor a list of students on campus that are carrying concealed weapons?

My hope is that other states will adopt similar legislation. "When seconds matter, the police are only minutes away." It's more than just a catchy phrase.