AUSTIN — Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) will joint author the "Campus Personal Protection Act." Filed as Senate Bill 11 by Senator Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury), this legislation allows students, faculty, and staff with a concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry their firearm for personal protection on college campuses across the state. The bill also states that public colleges or universities may not circumvent the intent of the Act by imposing administrative bans or penalties on students or employees lawfully carrying their licensed handgun on campus.

"The passage of campus carry legislation in our state is long overdue," said Senator Creighton. "It is inconceivable that the answer to some of the tragedies that have taken place on college campuses is to disarm law abiding citizens. S.B. 11 will allow individuals who have legally obtained a concealed handgun license to provide for their well-being and save the lives of unarmed students at the mercy of armed gunmen intent on causing them harm."

The Act also includes several statutory clauses to ensure current law is not sidestepped, including:

• affirming private property rights by ensuring that independent or private universities may establish rules concerning CHL-holders on their campuses;
• allowing all colleges and universities to establish rules and regulations governing the storage of handguns in on-campus housing facilities;
• ensuring colleges and universities may post notices that athletic events and sporting venues are off-limits to CHL-holders carrying a firearm;
• clarifying that locations which are prohibited under the Penal Code—bars, hospitals, and K-12 educational facilities, for example—will remain off-limits to CHL-holders even if they happen to be located on a campus, and;
• providing colleges and universities immunity from liability for the actions of CHL-holders on campus—except in cases where private or independent institutions have adopted administrative prohibitions.

The Act in no way alters who can carry a concealed handgun. To obtain a CHL in Texas, a citizen must be at least 21 years old (or active-duty military); must pass state and federal background checks; must submit fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety; cannot be chemically dependent, of unsound mind, or delinquent in paying official fines, fees or child support; must be otherwise eligible to purchase a handgun in the State of Texas; and must complete several hours of comprehensive DPS training, including a live-fire shooting proficiency test.

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