FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — Universities and colleges would not be allowed to opt out of the professor-carry law under a bill introduced Thursday (Jan. 15) at the Legislature in Little Rock.
House Bill 1077 by Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, would require public universities and colleges to let licensed faculty and staff members carry concealed handguns on campus.
Collins said he wants the decision on whether to carry a handgun to be up to the professor, not the institution.
The current law allows the governing board of each campus to vote annually whether to opt out and not allow licensed faculty and staff to carry concealed firearms.
Then-Gov. Mike Beebe signed Collins’ professor-carry bill into law in 2013 after it was amended to let schools opt out.
Collins introduced a professor-carry bill in the 2011 session, but the measure was unsuccessful.
The bill introduced on Thursday, HB1077, has been sent to the House Education Committee for consideration. No date has been set for a public hearing.
