OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The heads of Oklahoma’s state colleges and universities are vowing to oppose any legislative efforts to allow concealed weapons on campus.
Legislation that would have allowed concealed weapons on college campuses was defeated earlier this year after college presidents and law enforcement officers said it would create chaos and even more violence on campus.
But the issue likely will resurface when the Legislature convenes next year, state Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson said Monday.
Johnson spoke to a group of college officials and law enforcement officers that make up the Campus Life and Safety and Security Task Force, formed after the 2007 shooting deaths at Virginia Tech.
House Bill 2513, which was defeated, would have allowed military veterans and others with firearms training to carry concealed weapons on campus.
Task force member Phil Berkenbile, leader of the state’s CareerTech system, said guns have no place at schools. He noted recent controversy when a small Texas school district decided to let some teachers and staff carry guns.
“I don’t think that’s something we want to start in Oklahoma,” Berkenbile said. “That’s got to be a high priority.”
