CONWAY, Ark. — The University of Central Arkansas’ Board of Trustees has voted to not allow faculty and staff members with concealed-handgun permits to carry their weapons on campus.
The board voted 5-1 Friday to opt out of the new state law that allows weapons on campus carried by faculty or staff members with a concealed-carry permit. It is the state’s first four-year college to do so.
UCA President Tom Courtway, campus Police Chief Larry James, the staff senate and the faculty senate recommended the action.
“I believe our campus is very safe” Courtway told trustees. He said he thought it best “that no one has weapons (on campus) other than law-enforcement people.”
Trustee Kay Hinkle voted not to opt out, saying she believes law-abiding citizens with a concealed carry permit should be allowed to carry a gun on campus.
“I believe in the Second Amendment and anybody who is a law-abiding citizen who is trained to carry a gun should be able to do so,” Hinkle said. “I think it’s their right to be able to do that. That’s just my opinion. I know I’m in the minority. I can’t live with myself if I don’t express that,” she said.
State Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, who is a UCA faculty member, co-sponsored the legislation and said he believes it will make campuses safer as faculty and staff could protect students, and said he hopes the board will reconsider its stance next year.
