UT President Unveils Concealed Carry Policy

The University of Texas in Austin, one of the two flagship universities in the Lone Star State has made official its policy on allowing students to carry handguns on campus.

The policy is detailed on the website of the school, and was announced Wednesday by University President Gregory L. Fenves, who made it very clear in his statement he continues to be opposed to the policy of firearms on campus. In a press release Fenves said:

I empathize with the many faculty members, staffers, students and parents of students who signed petitions, sent emails and letters, and organized to ban guns from campus and especially classrooms. As a professor, I understand the deep concerns raised by so many. However, as president, I have an obligation to uphold the law.

Senate Bill 11 was ratified in June of last year. Another ratified piece of legislation, Senate Bill 273, sets fines against university instructors who attempt to block students from carrying concealed weapons in the classroom. The teacher “is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 and not more than $1,500 for the first violation; and not less than $10,000 and not more than $10,500 for the second or a subsequent violation.”

The new policy goes into effect August 1, before the start of the Fall semester.