FAYETTEVILLE -- The chances are slim the governor will veto a bill to allow concealed personal firearms on state college and university campuses, Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, told constituents Friday.
Lindsey and state Rep. Jeff Williams, R-Springdale, made the bi-weekly forum hosted by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon. The Legislature is still in session, and most of the legislators who regularly attend the forum were still at the state Capitol, Lindsey and Williams said.
The Fayetteville forums have consistently been filled this session with crowds speaking out about the campus carry bill, with the majority of those attending opposing the measure. Friday was no exception, with a standing-room only crowd of at least 70, including some of the children from the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center on the University of Arkansas campus. Employees of the university who have spoken at these forums have, with few exceptions, been opposed to the measure. So has the university's administration and campus police and Lindsey.
"My primary responsibility is to represent the roughly 29,000 people who live in my district," Williams said. While the House district surrounding the college opposes the measure, people in his district do not, he said.
"Within my district there is a very strong group of those who support Second Amendment rights, and when I voted on this, I thought back on the people in my district," he said.
Lindsey advised opponents to work toward repeal of the measure after the 2018 election if efforts to persuade the governor to veto it fail. Under the state constitution, the Legislature could override the governor even if he vetoes the measure, House Bill 1249 by Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville.
"Your anger needs to be maintained and channeled," Lindsey said.
"These are kids that need our protection, and we've failed them, quite frankly," Lindsey said, looking at the children in attendance. One of those children told the lawmakers he was afraid for his "baby brother" at the child center's daycare.
House Bill 1249 also allows people to carry at bars, courtrooms and public buildings. It requires concealed carry license holders to undergo up to eight hours of additional active shooter training in order to carry guns at previously prohibited locations, including the Capitol.
Members of the audience Friday said they would explore ways to challenge the bill in the courts. Marlee Harrison of Fayetteville said she has been a member of the college community for decades.
"I wouldn't let my child come to school here now," she said.
Julie Samson of Fayetteville mocked the bill, saying the university forbids umbrellas that don't collapse to a length no greater than 14 inches, but will now allow the carrying of guns.
NW News on 03/18/2017