The University of Texas in Austin has received a recommendation from a task force that students be allowed to carry concealed handguns in classrooms but not in laboratories, sporting events and dorms, to provide themselves protection against armed assailants.
The recommendation was made days after the Dec. 2 San Bernardino mass shooting perpetrated by a radicalised Muslim couple, killing 14 people and wounding 21 others, in the worst terrorist attack on the U.S. homeland since Sept. 11, 2001. The carnage has fuelled concerns that more such terrorist attacks could be launched in highly populated locations such as schools.
The recommendation to allow concealed handguns on campus was based on Senate Bill 11, or the "campus carry" law, that was passed by the Texas legislature and signed by the Gov. Greg Abbott last spring. The law, which takes effect on Aug. 1, 2016, allows a person who has a licence to carry to have a concealed handgun both on the grounds and in the buildings of an institution of higher education.
The Campus Carry Policy Working Group at the University of Texas in Austin said it "would be best" not to allow guns in classes but that the law is forcing them to endorse the measure, NBC News reported.
The guidelines were issued as pro-gun groups prepare for a "mock mass shooting" demonstration near the campus this weekend that would feature prop guns, people dressed as victims and the sound of bullets on a loudspeaker.
Based on the report, the group recommends how handguns must be carried and stored and where they are prohibited.
"Licence holders who carry a handgun on campus must carry it on or about their person at all times or secure their handgun in a locked, privately-owned or leased motor vehicle. Handguns – including those carried in backpacks and handbags – must be carried in a holster that completely covers the trigger and the entire trigger guard area. Semiautomatic handguns must be carried without a chambered round of ammunition," the guidelines read.
Goode said, "Let me be perfectly clear about this, every member of the working group thinks that we would be best if we did not have handguns in the classroom," said Steven Goode, a professor at the university's school of law and chair of the task force.
He said they were asked to make recommendations in compliance with the law.
"We felt we could not recommend that handguns be excluded in classrooms without violating that charge," he said.
Handguns are prohibited in on-campus dormitories, campus health care centres, child care facilities, certain laboratories, university and campus programmes for minors and events sponsored for grades pre-K through 12.
Pro-gun groups Come and Take It Texas and DontComply.com will hold their demonstration Saturday.
Murdoch Pizgatti, president of the two groups hosting the event, told KXAN that the demonstration wants to call the attention of all concerned to the importance of campus carry laws.
"It's going to be an over-dramatised, non-realistic performance," Pizgatti said. "We're not there to disrupt or panic anyone."
University President Gregory Fenves is against the mock mass shooting.
"This week, we have heard disturbing reports about a non-university group's efforts to simulate gun violence against members of the UT community. Such attitudes have no place at UT and they reinforce my deep concerns about SB 11 and the potential impact that handguns will have on campus," he said.
