Area Colleges Prepare for Campus Carry

In August of next year (Aug. 1, 2016), the state’s new campus carry law takes effect. Passed in the legislative session this past spring, it will allow those with concealed handgun permits (who are required to be 21 and older) to carry concealed weapons on some college campuses. Private schools have the ability to opt out of the law, and public institutions in the state can create certain gun-free zones on campus. But how much of the campus? The new law doesn’t offer specifics. It gives schools discretion to write "reasonable rules, regulations or other provisions" and consult with students, faculty and staff. The school’s governing board will also have to sign off.

Today, we learn what two local campuses — the University of Houston and Texas Southern University — are doing to prepare for implementation of the new law.

And Houston Matters’ Michael Hagerty talks with a professor at UT Austin who intends to walk away from his job when campus carry goes into effect.