Campus Carry
Texas Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) was passed by the 84th Texas Legislature and was signed into law on June 1, 2015. It is often referred to as “Campus Carry.” The law permits individuals to carry a concealed handgun on a public community college in Texas beginning August 1, 2017. Open carry of handguns on any Temple College location is not authorized as outlined in Government Code Sec. 411.2031 and Penal Code 46.035. Maintaining a safe and secure educational environment is of the utmost importance to Temple College. Outlined below is the Board of Trustee approved policy for campus carry on any Temple College location. The FAQ section provides detailed information on commonly asked questions.
FAQ
No. HB 910, the open carry law effective January 1, 2016, provides that a gun owner cannot carry a partially or wholly visible handgun, regardless if it is holstered, and intentionally or knowingly display the handgun in plain view of another person on the premises of an institution of higher education, or any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area of an institution of higher education.
Ref. Government Code Sec. 411.2031
Penal Code 46.035
HB 910 Section 47
As outlined in Government Code 411.2031 and SB 11, after consulting with students, staff, and faculty of Temple College regarding the nature of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus environment, the president shall establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns on the campus of the institution or on premises located on the campus of the institution. Not later than the 90th day after the date that the rules, regulations, or other provisions are established as described above, the board of trustees shall review the provisions. The board of trustees may, by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the board, amend wholly or partly the provisions established.
Areas we are pretty certain concealed carry will not be permitted include the Testing Center due to language in the contracts with the College Board, Prometric Test Center, and Pearson Education prohibiting the carry of weapons in a testing center and any location where a collegiate sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place as outlined in Texas Penal Code Sec. 46.035. Other areas may be identified as we continue to develop our policy and will be added to this list as needed.
Ref. Government Code Sec. 411.2031
Penal Code section 46.035
SB 11 Section 8
Employees can ask, but students are not required to provide this information. Employees should not, under any circumstances, coerce students into revealing their concealed carry status or pressure them to answer concealed carry queries.
Ref. Government Code 411.205
Yes. A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer’s official duties may disarm someone carrying a gun at any time the officer reasonably believes it is necessary for the protection of the gun owner, officer, or another individual..
Ref. Government Code Section 411.207
The safest course of action is to call the Temple College Police Department by dialing 8911. They will respond and make contact with the individual to determine if that person is legitimately carrying a firearm. If campus police cannot be contacted, please call 911.
No, unless the classroom is located in an area where concealed carry is not permitted. After consulting with students, staff, and faculty of the institution regarding the nature of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus environment, the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education in this state shall establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns on the campus of the institution or on premises located on the campus of the institution. The president or officer may not establish provisions that generally prohibit or have the effect of generally prohibiting lawful gun owners from carrying concealed handguns on the campus of the institution. The institution must give effective notice under Section 30.06, Penal Code, with respect to any portion of a premises on which guns may not be carried.
The law does not expressly state where a weapon needs to be in order to be considered “concealed.” The weapon cannot be in plain view or discernable by ordinary observation. The weapon must be on the license holder’s person or in close proximity.
Ref. Penal Code section 46.02, 46.03, 46.035
Texas Penal Code Section 30.06 outlines where Temple College will need to post signage for areas where concealed carry is not permitted.
Ref. Penal Code section 30.06
Per University Courtyard Apartment lease agreement, residents and visitors are not authorized to carry and/or store weapons on the apartment complex property.