Concealed-Carry Law Poses Security Challenges for Kansas Colleges

Kansans will be allowed to carry concealed guns without a concealed-carry permit or training.

In 2017, people in Kansas will be allowed to carry concealed firearms on college campuses, even if they don’t have a concealed-carry permit.

Some students and faculty at the University of Kansas (KU), however, are concerned that KU and other campuses will not adapt to the change properly. Some say guns on campus will intimidate people from expressing their opinions, which could affect the recruitment of new students and faculty members. Others are worried there will be more accidental shootings and suicides, reports the Lawrence-Journal World.

RELATED: Study Shows Most College and K-12 Protection Personnel Oppose Concealed Carry on Campus

Back in 2012, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a law that allows guns in public buildings that don’t have certain security measures, such as metal detectors and guards. Institutions of higher education and other public buildings were given four years to comply, however, it is cost-prohibitive for all of the hundreds of college buildings to receive the security upgrades needed for the sites to prohibit concealed weapons.

RELATED: Negligent Discharges: A Real Risk If We Allow Guns on Campus

What makes the change even more challenging was the passage of another law signed by the governor that will allow Kansans to carry a concealed weapon without a concealed-carry permit or the training required to obtain such a permit.

Universities in the state still have two years to develop plans to address the change, and the board says it has a comfort level with campuses’ abilities to develop these plans.

Faculty, staff and students are working to have the law overturned, which is unlikely, as well as have schools provide de-escalation training to faculty who might face an armed individual who become combative.

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