Senior Associate Vice President
Date:
To:
April1,2016
Dr.W.DavidWatts,President
From:
CampusCarryCommittee
Subject:
ConcealedHandgunCarryonCampus
Inthe84th RegularLegislativeSession,theTexasLegislaturepassedSenateBill11,
whichallowslicensedindividualstocarryconcealedhandgunsonpublicuniversitycampuses,
effectiveAugust1,2016.Thelawallowsinstitutionpresidentsto“establishreasonablerules”
andtoevaluate“thenatureofthestudentpopulation,specificsafetyconsiderations,andthe
uniquenessofthecampusenvironment.”However,apresident“maynotestablishprovisions
thatgenerallyprohibitorhavetheeffectofgenerallyprohibitinglicenseholdersfromcarrying
concealedhandgunsonthecampusoftheinstitution.”Theprovisionsestablishedbythe
presidenttakeeffectunlessamendedbytheBoardofRegentsbynotlessthanatwo-thirds
vote.Presidentsmayovertimeamendaninstitution’srules,althoughamendmentsaresubject
tothesamepotentialactionbytheBoardofRegents.
PursuanttoSB11,institutionpresidentsmayestablishexclusionzonesasfollows:
“Afterconsultingwithstudents,staff,andfacultyoftheinstitutionregardingthe
natureofthestudentpopulation,specificsafetyconsiderations,andthe
uniquenessofthecampusenvironment,thepresidentorotherchiefexecutive
officerofaninstitutionofhighereducationinthisstateshallestablish
reasonablerules,regulations,orotherprovisionsregardingthecarryingof
concealedhandgunsbylicenseholdersonthecampusoftheinstitutionoron
premiseslocatedonthecampusoftheinstitution.Thepresidentorofficermay
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notestablishprovisionsthatgenerallyprohibitorhavetheeffectofgenerally
prohibitinglicenseholdersfromcarryingconcealedhandgunsonthecampusof
theinstitution.Thepresidentorofficermayamendtheprovisionsasnecessary
forcampussafety.Theprovisionstakeeffectasdeterminedbythepresidentor
officerunlesssubsequentlyamendedbytheboardofregentsorothergoverning
board.”
Thelawdefines“campus”asalllandandbuildingsownedorleasedbyaninstitutionof
highereducation.Bylaw,alicenseholdermust,includingbutnotlimitedto,beatleast21
yearsold(orbeactivemilitaryoraveteran),bearesidentofTexas,meetotherrequirements
suchasnorecordoffelonyconviction,andbefullyqualifiedunderfederalandstatelawto
purchaseahandgun.Per18USC§922(g),aliensadmittedtotheU.S.underanonimmigrant
visaareprohibitedfrompossessing,shipping,transporting,orreceivinganyfirearmor
ammunition.InternationalstudentsattendinguniversitiesaretypicallyintheU.S.withnonimmigrantvisasandthereforeineligibleunderfederallawtopossessanyfirearmor
ammunition.
Acommittee,consistingoffaculty,staffandstudents,wasestablishedtoconsiderthe
interpretationandramificationsofthelegislationandtoprovideaproposaltoyou,the
presidentoftheUniversity.Thiscommitteemetweeklyforapproximately3months.The
committeeconsideredimplementationofthelegislationfromthreeangles,existinglawor
statute,thesafetyofthecampus,andindividualrights.Aninformationalwebpagewas
published.Twoopenforumswereheldtoenablethecommunitytovoiceconcerns.
Additionally,anonlinesurveywaspostedandannouncedtothecampuscommunity.Input
fromallthesemeansofstudent,facultyandstaffwereconsideredbythecommittee.Adraft
versionofthecommittee’sfinalproposalwaspresentedtotheStudentSenateonDecember4,
2015.
TeresaSewell,committeechair,orherdesignee,joinedtheUTSystemworkinggroupin
weeklytelephonicmeetings.Theguidingprinciplesusedbytheworkinggroupwere:1)Follow
thelaw,2)Focusonsafetyand3)Striveforacampusenvironmentinwhichstudents,staff,and
facultycanfocusontheirstudies,research,andworkwithminimaldistraction. TheUTPB
CampusCarryCommitteerecommendationsareattached.
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TheUniversityofTexasofthePermianBasin
CampusCarryCommitteeRecommendations
March2016
ExistingLawandStatutes
TexasPenalCodedoesnotpermitfirearmsandotherspecificweaponsatthefollowinglocations
relevanttocampuses:
•
“onthephysicalpremisesofaschool…,anygroundsorbuildingonwhichanactivity
sponsoredbyaschool…isbeingconducted”(46.03(a)(1)).Thelawdoesnotdefine
“school”forthesepurposesbuttheworkinggroupandthecampuscommittee
believethatareasonableinterpretationispre-Kthrough12asthemeaningof
“school.”
•
“onthepremisesofanygovernmentcourtorofficesutilizedbythecourt”
(46.03(a)(3)).
•
“onthepremiseswhereahighschool,collegiate,orprofessionalsportingeventor
interscholasticeventistakingplace”(46.035(b)(2)).
•
“atanymeetingofagovernmententity”(46.035(c))“ifthemeetingisanopenmeeting
subjecttoChapter551,GovernmentCode,andtheentityprovidednoticeasrequiredby
thatchapter”(amendmentperHB910).
•
Child-CareFacilities.RulesoftheTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices
prohibitthepossessionoffirearmsonthepremisesoflicensedfacilitieswithbefore-or
after-schoolcareandforlicensedchild-carecenters(40TACSecs.744.2607and
746.3707).TheUTSystemworkinggroupandthecampuscommitteebelievethatthe
exclusionofconcealedcarryonthepremisesofchild-carefacilitiesatUTSystem
institutionsissensibleandrecommendsthatthepresidentconsiderexcludingthem.
Areasanalogoustostatelawrequirementsthatprohibitconcealedhandguns:
• Patientcareareas.Section46.035(b)(4)ofthePenalCodeexcludeshospitalslicensed
underChapter241–byanalogyandextension,thecommitteerecommendsthat
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mentalhealthtreatmentareasbedesignatedexclusionzones.
• Premisesinoronwhichaticketedsportingeventistakingplace.Section46.035(b)(2)
ofthePenalCodeprohibitsconcealedhandgunsatcollegiatesportingevents.
• Areaswheredischargeofahandgunmightcausewidespreadharm,suchaslaboratories
withextremelydangerouschemicals,biologicagents,orexplosiveagents,orequipment
thatisincompatiblewithmetallicobjectssuchasmagneticresonanceimagining
machines.Trainingofconcealedhandgunlicenseholdersonsafeuseofhandgunsin
suchfacilitiesisnotpractical.Accidentalorpurposefuldischargeofahandguninsuch
areascouldcausegraveandcatastrophicharm.Handgunsareinappropriateinthe
vicinityofsometypesofequipment,e.g.,magneticresonanceimagingequipment
becauseoftheverystrongmagneticfieldpresent.Exclusionmaybeappropriatefor
theseareastoensurecampussafety.
RecommendedExclusionZones
Theresponsibilityforestablishingexclusionzonesrestswithaninstitution’spresident.
TheUTPBCampusCarryCommitteewhichwasestablishedasanadvisorygrouptothepresident
recommendsthefollowingareasbeestablishedasexclusionzones.
BasedonPenalCodeandanalogousassumptionsmentionedabove,thecommittee
recommendsthefollowingareastobedesignatedasexclusionzones:
1. UTPBSTEMAcademy
2. ThepresenceoftheEarlyCollegeHighSchool(ECHS)inwingsAandBofthe
FoundersBuildingwillautomaticallybedesignatedasanexclusionzonebasedon
law.
3. TheCounselingCenter,whichresidesinwingCoftheFounders’Building,is
recommendedtobedeclaredanexclusionzonebasedonanalogousoutside
entities.
4. BasedonlicensingregulationsbytheState,thecommitteerecommendsthatthe
ChildCareCenterbedesignatedasanexclusionzone.Althoughthecenteris
locatedinsidetheStudentActivityCenter(SAC),thereisnotrafficbetweento
twofacilitiesandthereforetheSACisnotincludedinthisrecommendation.
5. Ticketedcollegiatesportingeventsareexcludedbylaw.Therefore,the
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committeerecommendsthatalllocationsofsportingevents,collegiateor
otherwisebedesignatedasexclusionzones.
6. Researchlabscontainingvolatilechemicalsareconsideredtobehighriskinthe
riskmanagementarena.Thestudentsusingthelabshavelittletonosupervision
whiletheyareinthelabs.Spillageofchemicalscouldresultinverydangerous
conditions,requiringmultipleexpertstoremediatechemicalspills,fires,
corrosivesubstances,andcancercausingorganicsinadditiontoEMT’sfor
personalphysicalinjury.Somelabshavechemicalsthatarehighlycorrosive
and/orthatcouldpresentseriousinhalationdangers.Researchlabscontaining
volatilechemicalsarehighriskareaswithperiodicinspectionsbyuniversity
safetyofficersanddifficultenoughtomanagewithoutaddingfactors.Research
labswithvolatilechemicalshouldbedesignatedasexclusionzones.
7. Allchemistryandbiologylabsmaynothavevolatilesubstanceswithinthem;
however,theriskinthisareaisconsideredtobeminimal.Iftheteachingscience
labsareusedbytheECHSstudents,theywillbecomeanexclusionzonewhilein
usebythosestudents.Temporarysignageshouldsufficeasnotice.
8. Thecommitteerespectstherightsofindividualstoprotecttheirpropertysuchas
theirdomicile.However,someoftheUTPBstudenthousingunitsincludeshared
roomsandthereforetheseroomsthataresharedarerecommendedtobe
exclusionszones.Familymembersofhousingresidentsshouldbepermittedto
carryaconcealedweaponwhilevisiting.Also,staffmemberswhosejob
responsibilitiesrequirethemtoenterstudenthousingshouldbepermittedto
carryagunonorabouttheirpersonwhilepresentinstudenthousingfor
businesspurposes.
Studentswhochoosetocarrytheirguninstudenthousingmustprovidea
combinationorbiometricgunsafe,acceptabletoUTPBPolice,inwhichthegun
shallbestoredwhenitisnotonorabouttheperson.Buildingsutilizedby
minorsattendingcampsshouldbecomeexclusionzonesduringthetimesthey
areusedbystudentsofminorage.Thecommitteehighlyrecommends
educationforstudentswhichaddressesaccidentaldischarge,particularlywhile
cleaningagun,inadditiontosafeandprudenthandlingofafirearmStudent
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Housingcontractsshouldincludeastatementthataviolationoftheconcealed
carrylicenseoroftheuniversitystoragerequirementscouldresultintermination
ofthestudent’scontract.
9. TheStudentTestingandAccommodationsCenterisrecommendedtobean
exclusionzoneduetothestipulationsestablishedbycertaintestingagencies.
Forexample,EducationalTestingService(ETS)mandatesthatweaponsofany
kindareprohibitedfromtestingcenters.Studentstakingothertestsdoso
concurrentlywithstudentstakingstandardizedtests.Ratherthatdisrupttesting
availabilityforstudents,thecentershouldbedesignatedasanexclusionzone.
NotificationandSignage
Section30.06oftheTexasPenalCodedescribesgeneralrequirementsfornotificationwhere
concealedcarryisnotpermitted.Thelawstatesthat,“apersonreceivesnoticeiftheownerof
thepropertyorsomeonewithapparentauthoritytoactfortheownerprovidesnoticetothe
personbyoralorwrittencommunication.”Thewrittencommunicationmuststatethe
following:
o "PursuanttoSection30.06,PenalCode(trespassbyholderoflicensetocarrya
concealedhandgun),apersonlicensedunderSubchapterH,Chapter411,
GovernmentCode(concealedhandgunlaw),maynotenterthispropertywitha
concealedhandgun".
Writtencommunicationmaybeconveyedinoneoftwoways:
o Acardorotherwrittendocumentthatcontainsthelanguageabove,or
o SignageinbothSpanishandEnglishdisplayedinaconspicuousmannerclearly
visibletothepublic,withcontrastingcolorsandblocklettersatleastoneinchin
height.
Oneoptionforinformingthepublicofexclusionatticketedeventssuchassportingevents
(football)mightbetheprintingofexclusioninformationonthebackoftheticket.Vendors
andotherswhoarepermittedtoenterthepremiseswithoutaticketshouldbeprovided
writtennoticethroughothermeans.
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Althoughtemporarysignageiswelcome,nonotificationisrequiredbystatuteforK-12
schoolsorschool-sponsoredactivities.Licenseholdersareexpectedtoknowthattheseareas
areexcludedwithoutspecificnotification.However,temporarysignagecouldbedisplayed.
Numerouseventsoccuroncampusesthatarenotsponsoredbyaschoolbut,rather,are
sponsoredbythehighereducationinstitutionorbyothers.Byanalogyandextension,eventsfor
childrensponsoredbyorconductedincoordinationwiththeinstitutionshouldbeconsideredfor
exclusionofconcealedhandguns.ItisrecommendedthatUTPBexcludeconcealedcarryfor
parents,employees,orvolunteersworkingwiththechildrenonasponsoredeventwhileon
campus.
ItemsforConsideration
• RequirementforHolster. SenateBill11authorizespresidentstoestablishreasonable
rules.Section411.2031,GovernmentCode,asaddedbySB11,expresslyauthorizesan
institution“toestablishreasonablerules...regardingthecarryingofconcealed
handgunsbylicenseholdersonthecampus,”withspecificregardto“safety
considerations”and“campussafety.” Violationsofcampusrulesabouthowtocarryor
storehandgunsmaybeactssubjecttodisciplinaryactionbyaninstitution.
Thereisconcernregardingthepotentialforahandguntodischargeaccidentallywhen
carriedinapurseorbackpack.Therefore,thecommitteerecommendsthat“alicense
holder who carries a handgun on campus must carry it in a holster that completely
covers the trigger and the entire trigger guard area. The holster must have sufficient
tension or grip on the handgun to retain it in the holster even when subjected to
unexpected jostling.” The committee believes that SB 11 provides authority for
presidents to establish such a requirement, which would minimize the potential for
accidental discharge if the handgun is jostled about or if the purse or backpack is
dropped.
• HandgunStorageFacilities.Thelawdoesnotrequirecampusestoprovidehandgun
storagefacilities.Ingeneral,licenseholdersareresponsibleforsafestoragesuchasby
lockingtheirhandgunintheirautomobileorleavingtheirhandgunathome.The
committeebelievesitreasonableforcampusestofunctionlikeotherplacesinthe
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state,whichtypicallydonothavestoragelockersforhandguns.
Somestaffandfacultymemberswhoworkatauniversityhavelicensestocarry.When
thelawtakeseffect,theymaywishtobringtheirconcealedhandguntowork.The
committeerecommendsthatpersonswhohaveanofficeassignedsolelytothemmay
locktheirgunintheirofficebutmusthavetwomethodsofdoingsuch.Onemethodis
tolocktheirofficedoor.Asecondmethod,tobedeterminedbytheCHLlicensee,can
betoprovidetheirowngunsafeintheirofficeorlockingtheirguninadeskdraweror
filingcabinet.
• ReportingRequirements.SenateBill11requiresareporttothelegislatureeach
even-numberedyearthat“describesUTPB’srules,regulations,orotherprovisions
regardingthecarryingofconcealedhandgunsonthecampusoftheinstitution;and
…explainsthereasonstheinstitutionhasestablishedthoseprovisions.”
InstitutionalreportstotheUTSystemBoardofRegentsregardingexclusionzones
shouldincludeadescriptionoftheareaswhichhavebeenexcludedandprovide
justificationforthoseareas.
• Violations.Ifapersonisbelievedtohaveimproperlydisplayedahandgunorcarrieda
handgunintoalocationwhereconcealedcarryisnotpermitted,thecampuspolice
shouldbecontacted.Thefollowingguidancewasprovidedregardingfurtherpenalties
thatmightbeconsidered:
o
Thelicensingstatute,Chapter411,GovernmentCode,effectivelyrequiresthatthe
handgunbe“concealed,”meaningthatthegun’spresenceis“notopenly
discernabletotheordinaryobservationofareasonableperson.”Similarly,Section
46.035,PenalCode,onunlawfulcarrybyalicensedholder,prohibitsintentional
displayofthehandguninplainviewofanotherpersoninapublicplaceaswellas
possession,whetherornotconcealed,inspecificareas.
o Sections46.03and46.035addresswhichviolationsarecriminal.Bothsections
include“stateofmind”requirements,andthesestateofmindrequirementsvary.
Undersection46.03,itisacrimeto“intentionally,knowingly,orrecklessly”carrya
handgunintoinaplacedesignatedbythatsectionasanexclusionzone(e.g.,apreKthrough12school).Undersection46.035,however,itisacrimeforalicense
holderto“intentionally”carryaconcealedhandgunintoanareaexcludedunder
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therulesandregulationsestablishedbyauniversity,providedpropernoticeis
given.Withregardtotheopendisplayofahandgunoncampus,section46.035
makesitacrimeforalicenseholderto“intentionallyorknowingly”displaythe
handguninplainviewofanotherpersononauniversitycampus.TexasPenalCode
§6.03assignsparticularmeaningtotheterms“intentionally,”“knowingly,”and
“recklessly.”Undersection46.035,however,licenseholdersdonotcommita
crimeiftheymistakenlybringaconcealedhandgunintoanexclusionzone–(e.g.,if
theholderforgottheyhadthegunwiththem).Asexplainedbelow,however,
individualinstitutionsmayprovidethatanyviolationoftheirconcealedcarryrules
andregulationsconstitutesasanction-ableoffenseundertheirinstitutionalrules.
Section411.2031,GovernmentCode,asaddedbySB11,expresslyauthorizesan
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institution“toestablishreasonablerules...regardingthecarryingofconcealed
handgunsbylicenseholdersonthecampus,”withspecificregardto“safety
considerations”and“campussafety.” Violationsofcampusrulesabouthowto
carryorstorehandgunsmaybeactssubjecttodisciplinaryactionbyaninstitution
andshouldbeincludedinemployeeandstudentstandardsofconductpolicies.
•
Definitionof“onorabout.”UnderSection46.02,PenalCode,whichprohibitsthe
carryingofcertainweapons“onorabout”aperson.Texascourtshaveheldthat“on
orabout”includes“theareanearby,closeathand,convenientofaccess,andwithin
suchdistanceofthepartysothat,withoutmateriallychanginghisposition,theparty
couldgethishandonit”andtoincludeaportfolioorpurse[Contrerasv.State,853
S.W.2d694(Tex.App.Houston(1st Dist.),1993}
•
TheUTPBCampusCarryCommitteesuggeststhatthefollowinglanguagebeused:
o "Licenseholdersbeartheresponsibilityforsafeguardingtheirhandgunsatall
times,andmusttakeallnecessaryprecautionstoensuretheirhandgunsare
securedinamannerthatismostlikelytopreventtheft,loss,damageor
misuse.LicenseholdersaffiliatedwithUTPBwhofailtousereasonablecarein
securingtheirhandgunsoractnegligentlyaresubjecttodisciplinaryaction,up
toandincludingterminationornon-renewalofappointment,ordismissalfrom
UTPB.”
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o “Alicenseholderfailstousereasonablecarewhenhe/shedoesnotexercisethe
carewhichareasonableorprudentpersonwouldexerciseinsimilar
circumstances,ortakesactionwhichareasonableorprudentpersonwouldnot
take.Failingtosecureorcontrolabackpackorpursewithahandgunatalltimes
ontheUTPBcampuswouldbeconsideredafailuretousereasonablecare."
•
CommunicationsandTraining.Oncecampusrulesareestablished,communication
andtrainingwillbecrucialinorderforallpartiestounderstandtherulesforCHL,how
torespondtoaninappropriategunordisplayofagun,andlocationsthathavebeen
designatedasexclusionzones.Additionally,trainingregardingappropriateresponse
inthecaseofanactiveshootershouldbeprovidedtocampuscommunitymembers
everysemester.
ConcludingRemarks
Indevelopingtheserecommendations,thecommitteerecognizedthatthelawempowerseach
institutionpresidenttomakeappropriateprovisions.Thecommitteehopesthatthese
observationsandrecommendationswillassistyouinyourdecisions.
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APPENDIXA
MembersoftheUTPBCampusCarryCommittee
•
JastonBrink,StudentSenator
•
Dr.JamesEldridge,ProfessorofKinesiology,PresidentofFacultySenate
•
LailGrant,SafetyCoordinatorI,EnvironmentalHealth&Safety
•
TomHain,ChiefofPolice
•
TimothyHerrick,OperationsManager,PhysicalPlant
•
KellyLease,StudentSenator
•
ErinNance,AcademicAdvisor,AcademicAdvising
•
Dr.PrakashPai,AssociateProfessorofFinance,FacultySenator
•
JohnRoeber,StudentSenator
•
TeresaSewell,SeniorAssociateVicePresident,StudentServices
•
Dr.JessicaStaib,ProfessorofEducationalLeadershipandCounseling,CollegeofEducation
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APPENDIXB
MembersoftheUTSystemConcealedCarryWorkingGroup
Institutions
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U. T.SystemAdministration
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
U.T.Arlington:JohnHall,VicePresidentforAdministration
U.T.Austin:StevenGoode,JD,Professor,Law
U.T.Dallas:AlexPiquero,Professor,Criminology
U.T.ElPaso:GaryEdens,VicePresidentforStudentAffairs
U.T.PermianBasin:TeresaSewell,SeniorAssociateVicePresidentforStudent
Affairs
U.T.RioGrandeValley:BenReyna,AssociateVicePresidentforSecurityand
CampusAffairs
U.T.SanAntonio:KathyFunk-Baxter,VicePresidentforBusinessAffairs,andalso
SteveBarrera,ChiefofPolice
U.T.Tyler:TammyCowart,JD,AssociateProfessor,BusinessLaw
U.T.Health–Houston:GeorgeStancel,ExecutiveVicePresidentforAcademicand
ResearchAffairs
U.T.MedicalBranch–Galveston:MichaelAinsworth,MD,ViceDeanforAcademic
Affairs,SchoolofMedicine
U.T.M.D.Anderson–MaxWeber,JD,AssociateVicePresidentandDeputyChief
ComplianceOfficer
U.T.SanAntonioHSC–MichaelParks,ChiefofPolice,andDr.JacquelineLeeMok,
VicePresidentforAcademic,Faculty,andStudentAffairs
U.T.Southwestern–CharlesGinsburg,MD,SeniorAssociateDean
U.T.TylerHSC–RobertCromley,ChiefofPolice
CommitteeChair:DavidE.Daniel,DeputyChancellor
OfficeoftheChancellor:JanaPankratz,ExecutiveDirector
DirectorofPolice:MichaelHeidingsfield
GovernmentRelations:BarryMcBee,JD,ViceChancellorandChiefGovernmental
RelationsOfficer,andSteveCollins,JD,AssociateViceChancellorforGovernmentand
SpecialCounselforGovernmentalRelationsandSpecialCounseltotheOfficeof
GeneralCounsel
BoardofRegents:KristyOrr,JD,AssociateGeneralCounsel
OfficeofGeneralCounsel:TamraEnglish,JD,AssistantGeneralCounsel
OfficeofAcademicAffairs:WandaMercer,AssociateViceChancellor
OfficeofHealthAffairs:PatrickFrancis,AssociateViceChancellor
RiskManagement:PatrickDurbin,AssistantDirector,RiskControl
ExternalRelations:JohnMorton,SeniorCommunicationsWriter
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