FAYETTEVILLE -- At least 125 people packed a Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce legislative forum Friday, most opposing campus concealed carry gun legislation almost certain to pass, they were told.
More that two-thirds of the crowd raised their hands when asked if they would oppose an expected bill from Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, allowing faculty and staff at state colleges and universities to carry firearms on campus if they have concealed carry permits. A show of hands in support of the measure produced about one quarter of the audience in response.
State run colleges and universities are answerable to the state's voters as a whole and their elected representatives, said Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs.
However unpopular the measure may be on the campuses themselves, those campuses are a part of the state. Hendren said he was undecided on the legislation, which hasn't been introduced yet. In principle, he said, he recognizes the opponents have concerns deserving a fair hearing.
Eight legislators attended, with all three Democrats opposing the matter and with the five Republicans generally supportive with the reservation they hadn't seen even a draft, and wouldn't declare support for a bill not written yet.
Much of the crowd stood for the hour-long forum with every seat taken. After opening remarks by lawmakers and a discussion of health care policy, the concealed carry bill took up the rest of the forum's time. Collins defended the measure at the forum and stayed after it to meet with audience members.
Collins has introduced a campus-carry bill every regular legislative session since he has served in. In a previous regular session, a compromise bill allowed state college and university trustees to vote on whether to allow concealed carry. None of the 33 eligible institutions has yet to allow it.
In the past election, the remaining Democratic margins in each legislative chamber fell. Those margins fell further with post-election Democratic defections, giving Republicans three-quarter super-majorities and majorities on every legislative committee. Collins predicted shortly after the election his measure would pass.
He's very probably right, said Democratic opponents of his measure at Friday's forum.
"I hope and pray we have a miracle," said Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, who opposes the measure.
There are shootings on college campuses somewhere in the country on an almost monthly basis, Collins told the crowd. Studies of mass shootings show the killers seek locations where they know people will not be armed except uniformed police officers. Students, not even graduate students teaching classes, would be allowed to carry firearms under legislation he'll propose, Collins said.
Opponent audience member Dorothy Stephens of Fayetteville replied to Collins: "Statistically speaking, college campuses are far safer than the general public is in other places, and our campus here certainly is," referring to the University of Arkansas. "What is dangerous, and there's ample data for it, is suicide when guns are available."
Campus police also oppose the measure, critics said.
NW News on 01/21/2017