Concealed Handgun Policy Developed for U-T Tyler

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has developed a policy concerning concealed carrying of weapons on the university campus. It details the areas on campus where concealed handguns are not allowed, calls for the development of training to educate the campus about the law and basic requirements of campus carry, creates a structure for concealed carry within residential facilities and outlines enforcement guidelines for campus carry violations. The policy was formulated by a campus carry working group, which was comprised of faculty, students and staff. It takes effect August 1st if approved by the system’s board of regents.

The policy comes after nine months of work by the group. The policy is in response to Texas Senate Bill 11, which was passed in 2015 and will allow adults 21 or over, as well as qualifying members of the military, who are licensed to carry a handgun to carry their weapon on campus. The law requires each university to develop specific guidelines regarding campus concealed carry. Open carry on university campuses is prohibited.

The policy requires all licensed handgun carriers to carry the handgun in a holster or other secure weapon case that completely covers the trigger and the entire trigger guard area. The holster must sufficiently retain the handgun in place so that it will not discharge in the event of sudden movement.

Exclusion zones will be clearly designated with signs and will include:
*UT Tyler Innovation Academy, charter school for grades 3-9.
*Patient care areas such as the University Health Clinic, student counseling rooms and athletic training room.
*Ticketed sporting events at any of the UT Tyler’s athletic facilities, as
required by law.
*Formal hearing areas for employee or student adjudication.
*Areas where handgun discharge may cause widespread harm such as labs with dangerous and/or explosive chemicals or with magnetic resonance imaging equipment.
*Areas for sponsored activities for students under the age of 18 who are not enrolled at UT Tyler.

Under the policy, the office of student housing will develop handgun storage policies for on-campus residents as well as roommate selection clauses to allow for students who prefer not to room with licensees.

The policy, which has been approved by the university, will be reviewed by the UT System Board of Regents later this year. The Board has the authority to alter the policy, but needs a 2/3 vote to do so.