Bill Allowing Guns on Campus Moves Gets Committee Approval

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill to allow students, staff and visitors to carry guns on Idaho's college campuses passed out of a legislative committee Friday afternoon, despite objections from students, multiple police chiefs and leaders of all eight of the state's public colleges. The measure would allow retired law enforcement officers and those with Idaho's new enhanced concealed carry permit to bring their firearms onto campus. Concealed weapons would still be barred from dormitories, stadiums and concert halls. The 11-3 vote sends the issue forward to debate on the House floor. The bill passed the Senate earlier this month. If the measure becomes law, Idaho would join six other states with provisions that allow concealed carry on campus: Colorado, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin. Utah is the only state with a specific law that forbids universities from banning concealed carry at any of its 10 public institutions.