Concealed Campus Carry at ACC
ACC’s Campus Carry Policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as Campus Carry law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
As a public community college, ACC is required by law to implement the campus carry legislation, Texas Senate Bill 11 (SB 11), allowing Licensed to Carry (LTC) holders to carry a concealed handgun on public college campuses. Per the law, the college’s policy took effect August 1, 2017.
Implementation Process
ACC took a thoughtful approach to implementing the law. In 2016, ACC President/CEO Dr. Richard Rhodes appointed a Campus Carry Implementation Task Force comprising collegewide representation.
The task force worked with faculty, staff, students, and legal experts to develop a policy and procedures that work best for our learning and working environment. Additionally, ACC monitored policies adopted by four-year universities, worked with community college partners, and reviewed Attorney General opinions on the matter.
Facts
- All public Texas colleges and universities must abide by the law.
- Private institutions may opt out of implementing the law.
- The concealed campus carry law does not allow open carry on campus.
- A person must have a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC).
- A person must be at least 21 to obtain a LTC, unless he/she is active duty military or a police officer.
- Faculty and staff do not have authority to ban handguns from classrooms.
- Campus carry laws exist in eight states: Texas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Mississippi, Kansas, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
- Licensed gun owners have been allowed to carry concealed handguns on public campuses (but not in buildings) for 20 years.
- There are no indications lawmakers will change the law.
ACC Campus Carry Survey
In Spring 2017, the Campus Carry Task Force issued a collegewide survey to gain input from faculty, staff, students, and community members. There were more than 5,500 respondents. Results and comments were shared with the task force and leadership charged with developing the college’s policies and procedures related to the law. To view survey results and comments, click the links below.
Campus Carry Survey Summary >
Campus Carry Survey Responses >
