FAYETTEVILLE — Graduate student leaders at the University of Arkansas on Thursday approved a resolution in support of a provision in state law letting universities decide if they want concealed handguns on campus.
Faculty and staff with concealed-carry licenses may remain armed on a public college campus unless the school’s governing board disallows it, according to a 2013 law.
But university leaders in the state, including the University of Arkansas System, have opted out of allowing concealed weapons each year since the law’s passage.
Last month, state Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville — an advocate for concealed-carry on campus — told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette he’s “confident” a new concealed-carry law will pass in the state legislative session set to begin Jan. 9.
Alex Marino, an author of the resolution and a history doctoral student, expressed concerns about student safety if the concealed-carry law is passed.
“I would not have chosen the University of Arkansas if this law was in effect when I applied,” Marino said.
UA’s Associated Student Government Graduate Student Congress approved the resolution.