Guns on college and university campuses could soon be a reality

PHOENIX - Arizona Sen. Ronald Gould plans to reintroduce a gun bill next week that would force public colleges and universities to allow students with gun permits to carry firearms on campus.

Gould (R- District 3) introduced a similar bill last legislative session which Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed.

"The new bill only pertains to concealed carry permit holders," Gould said.

Gould feels allowing students to carry weapons will decrease crime on campus.

"To disallow guns on campus, what that really does is create a self defense free zone. So people with evil intents, they know there's no weapons there," Gould said.

Gould has contacted the Arizona Board of Regents about his bill and while board members appreciate his intent, they are against guns on campus.

"We are not very enthusiastic about the idea of guns on campus because campuses are places where you want people to feel free to express strong opinions, and you want faculty to feel they can grade students based upon merits not upon fear," said Fred DuVal, board chairman.

DuVal added that allowing guns on campus will make it hard for police to investigate gun crimes.

"If there's an incident and a number of people pull out weapons to defend themselves, then law enforcement won't know who the shooter was, who is it that they are trying to chase, you could have chaos, " he said.

But Gould disagrees.

"As we've expanded rights to carry a concealed weapon we've seen crime be reduced at twice the rate of the national average because criminals are afraid," Gould said. "If he thinks he's going to get shot when he tries to mug you, rape you or carjack you, that's a good thing."

"The notion of having guns on campus with young people, mixing unfortunately with alcohol and drugs, it's just the wrong place," said DuVal.

Under the revised bill public colleges and universities will be able to restrict guns in buildings if they provide gun lockers.

"Law Enforcement is worried on how that would work and would it give access to non gun permit owners," DuVal said.

Gould said he's made the changes that concerned Gov. Brewer and feels there's a good chance the revised bill will pass.