Yesterday April 27, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved Tarleton State University’s proposal on how to implement the “campus carry” (Senate Bill 11) passed last spring by the Texas State Legislature. Under the law, which takes affect August 1, Tarleton will allow the licensed carry of concealed handguns on the Stephenville campus.

Under the law, a licensed holder is not prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun in classrooms or residential facilities owned, operated or leased through Tarleton.

However, according to the TAMUS website, http://www.tamus.edu/campus-carry-rules/ detailing restrictions for each of the schools in the A&M system, places on the Tarleton campuses such as the Child Development Center (CDC), the University Student Counseling Center and Student Health Center, specific locations in which formal hearings are being conducted pursuant to university rules for faculty and staff disciplinary hearings, student conduct proceedings and academic grievances and places where a collegiate sporting event is not permissible for licensed concealed carrier.

In addition, campus premises leased by the university to a third party, if the third party determines to prohibit the concealed carry of handguns on the premises and provides effective notice pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code, this includes the Hickman Building in Fort Worth campus.

To obtain a concealed carry license in the state of Texas, a person must be at least 21, obtain Certificate of Training and pass a history background check by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). To obtain the Certificate of Training, an individual must take four to six hours of classroom instruction, pass a written exam and proficiency shooting demonstration conducted in Texas by an instructor certified by the DPS.

At this time, there are no additional requirements to carry a concealed handgun on the Tarleton campus other than the State’s requirements.