Guns in the Classroom: An Analysis of Texas’ New 2015 Campus Carry Law Dominic M. Beggan, Ph.D. Government Professor Lone Star College – Montgomery Communication Across the Curriculum Wednesday, Sept. 14, 16

Presentation Agenda Abstract Impetus for Campus Carry Law SB 11 CHL Requirements Gun Free Zones LSC-M survey Policy Considerations Discussion

Abstract

Abstract In the 2015 Legislative session, the Texas Legislature voted to allow students to carry concealed weapons on college and university campuses. This law took effect in fall 2016 at four-year universities and will take effect in fall 2017 on two-year college campuses.  Will this bill make colleges safer, or more dangerous? The findings of this paper reveal divergent views held by those working at the college and students. The majority of administrators, faculty and staff feel this new law will make the college more dangerous while students feel the opposite that the college campus will be safer with guns. This paper outlines policy considerations that colleges and universities may wish to consider in response to similar legislation in their states.​  

Impetus for Campus Carry Law

Acceptance and embrace of an evolving gun culture Three Contributing Factors Acceptance and embrace of an evolving gun culture The media-hyped exploitation of school shootings A partisan, dynamic dimension

Acceptance and Embracing of an Evolving Gun Culture Gun culture is simply a part of the historical legacy in Texas. Hirschman (2014) stems from the ‘Wild West’ type mentality that stresses we need guns for self-protection and to protect our property. Haag (2016) Gun industry aggressively marketing the protective nature of hands guns and assault weapons to compensate for declining sales of hunting weapons. (Pew Survey) 1999 gun owners were asked Why do you own a gun? 26 % had a gun for protection and 49 % for hunting. 2013 gun owners were asked Why do you own a gun? 48 % had a gun for protection and 32 % had a gun for hunting.

The Media-Hyped Exploitation of School Shootings Twenty-four hour news channels have nurtured the notion that crime is on the rise. Cooke (2015) Numerous studies have indicated violence crime has been on the decline. 2013 violent crime rates were the lowest since 1970. Since 1966 there have been twelve school shootings in Texas or about one school shooting on average every four years (USA Today, 2014).

A partisan, dynamic dimension Gun control is very much a partisan issue in Texas and elsewhere SB 11 was a strictly partisan bill Texas House of Representatives made up of 150 members the 98 (R) for to 47 (D) against Texas Senate made up of 31 members 20 (R) for to 11 (D) against A dynamic alliance has emerged which enabled Texas Republicans, NRA and TRA members, and Tea Party to benefit Tea Party Movement has a non-negotiable core belief that gun ownership is ‘sacred’

Campus Carry States Source: http://chronicle.com/article/A-PowerPoint-Slide-Advises/235418

CHL Requirements

Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Requirements Legal resident of Texas at least 21 years old, not convicted or charged with of a felony or fugitive from justice Not a chemically dependent person or incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun Fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun Not delinquent in making child support or tax payments in Texas Not currently subject to a restraining order affecting a spousal relationship Has not lied on a CHL application Pass a background check Pass 4 hours minimum of training Pass a gun range test

Gun Free Zones

Gun Free Zones Public Forums Involving Workers, Students and the Community Daycare Healthcare Center Sporting Events

LSC-M Survey

Participants Online survey administered spring semester 2016 634 participants: - 357 students (full and part-time) - 73 staff/administrators (full and part-time) - 186 faculty (full and part-time) - 18 Not specified Survey response rates: - 2.5% of students (full and part-time) - 43% of staff/administrators (full and part-time) - 26.4% of faculty (full and part-time)

Overall Results Should guns be allowed on-campus? 305 292 50% 45% 37 Yes - Guns should be allowed on-campus No - Guns should NOT be allowed on-campus Neutral – No Opinion

Results by Stakeholder Students 56% - For guns-on-campus 39% - Against 5% - Neutral Staff / Administrators 29% - For guns-on-campus 68% - Against 3% - Neutral Faculty 34% - For guns-on-campus 62% - Against 4% - Neutral

Student Data 56% 39% 5%

Administration / Staff Data 68% 29% 3%

Faculty Data 62% 4%

Policy Considerations

Training for Campus Police Dept. Conflict Resolution Training for Faculty, Staff and Administrators Signage Legality and Liability Financial costs of Gun Free Zones Human Interactions Fear & Anxiety

Conclusion This research revealed those who work at college and those who attend the college have divergent views on this issue. In a democracy, the voice of the majority prevails, but not everyone will be satisfied with the outcome. The literature reiterates that when any society increases the number of pro-gun laws this contributes to increases in gun ownership, these factors correlate to an increased number of gun related deaths. Only time will reveal if this supposition is correct in Texas.

Discussion

Discussion Will your teaching be impacted as a result of SB 11? What additional measures do you suggest the system take to help ensure safety? Which additional zones should be gun free, if any?

Thank you Dominic.m.beggan@lonestar.edu