NEWS -
Published: Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Concealed Carry goes into effect next Tuesday, Aug. 1. Let’s dive into it.
Concealed Carry refers to SB11, which permits a licensed to carry (LTC) holder to carry a concealed handgun on or about his or her person on the campus of an institution of higher education in Texas. The law was signed by the governor in June 2015 and went into effect at four-year colleges and universities last August.
Essentially, the law allows LTC holders to carry concealed handguns on campus. The law also allows an institution to adopt rules that prevent LTC holders from carrying concealed handguns in certain areas of campus. But don’t worry; DCCCD will give notice about “exclusionary zones.” These are any place on campus where handguns are not allowed. The district will post signage where concealed handguns are not allowed by the law or by the exclusionary policy.
Chancellor Dr. Joe May also has the power to establish “temporary exclusionary zones” when deemed necessary. Multiple factors could play into a decision to establish a temporary exclusionary zone, including:
- An activity that could incite violence
- An activity or program where the presence of alcohol could present a reasonable threat to health or safety
- Upon receipt of credible information of imminent injury
You can find a complete list of exclusionary zones in the
DCCCD Board Policy Manual, CHF (LOCAL).
Exclusionary zones include:
- Polling places on the day of an election or while early voting is in process
- Premises where a high school, collegiate or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place
- Any room where the DCCCD Board of Trustees is holding an open session
You should not misconstrue SB11 as an open carry law. Open carry means the intentional display of a handgun, including the carry of a partially or wholly visible handgun stored in a shoulder or belt holster.
SB11 also doesn’t allow the carry of rifles or shotguns on campus.
For more information on SB11, head over to the district’s site for more concealed carry
resources.