Safety & Security

Many private colleges in Texas decide to continue ban on guns

New law in Texas will require public universities to allow concealed carry of guns, but private institutions are permitted to keep ban in place.
Feb. 22, 2016

Texas has enacted a law that requires public higher-education institutions to allow concealed guns on campus, but more than 20 private colleges and universities in the state say they won't lift their gun bans.

The Associated Press reports that among the institutions that will continue to prohibit guns on campus are large private universities that have religious affiliations and often align with the type of conservative values espoused by the politicians behind the law.

Baylor University, a Baptist school in Waco, announced this month that guns would not be allowed on campus.

"My own view is that it is a very unwise public policy," said Baylor President Ken Starr, a former prosecutor and judge best known for his work on the Whitewater investigation involving President Bill Clinton.

Other large private universities that have declined to allow guns on their campuses include Texas Christian and Southern Methodist

The concealed-carry law goes into effect on Aug. 1. Public universities are required to allow guns on campus, but private institutions were given the option to prohibit the weapons.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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