Campus Carry Forum Presentation

Increase awareness of Blinn College’s campus carry policy and related rules
Highlight responsibilities of handgun license holders on Blinn’s campuses
Identify appropriate responses to the public display of a handgun

As of August 1, 2017, Texas law allows individuals with a license to carry (LTC) permit to carry concealed handguns on public community college campuses, with some exclusion zones as designated by each college.

A person who is:

At least 21 years of age (unless active military)
Meets federal qualifications to obtain a handgun
A legal Texas resident for at least 6 months

A person who meets all requirements outlined above and has:

Paid all required fees
Completed all required trainings
Submitted all required supplemental forms and materials to the Texas Department of Public Safety

A person who is:

Under the age of 21 (unless active military)
A convicted felon
Convicted of a Class A or B misdemeanor or disorderly conduct within the past 5 years
Currently charged with commission of a Class A or B misdemeanor or disorderly conduct
Chemically dependent
Diagnosed with certain types of psychological disorders; or
The subject of a protective or restraining order

State law prohibits “open carry” on public university and community college campuses.

Must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and Blinn College campus carry policies
Must conceal licensed handguns on campus
Must not “break concealment,” which means knowingly or intentionally allowing a handgun to be seen by others. Breaking concealment is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and a $4,000 fine.
May carry so long as not prohibited by state or federal law or college policy:
- On or about their person
- On College District property
- In a College District vehicle
Must secure his or her handgun at all times so that others do not have access to the handgun when it is not on or about the license holder’s person

Residents of campus residential facilities must:

Acquire an approved storage device for handgun at resident’s expense PRIOR to moving onto campus
Assure the storage device is on the Blinn College Police Department approved safe list available at www.blinn.edu/campus-carry

An employee may store a handgun in his or her office so long as the handgun is secured in a Blinn Police Department-approved storage device.

Only peace officers or magistrates have authority to require a license holder to display his or her handgun license
College administrators, faculty, staff, and students should NOT request that individuals indicate whether they have a license

As a general rule, concealed carry is permitted on Blinn campuses and locations. Gun-free designated areas include, but may not be limited to:

Any collegiate sporting event or UIL-sponsored event
Any grievance process or appeal proceeding

All areas designated as gun-free can be found in Blinn College Board policy CHF (LOCAL). Areas designated in Blinn College Board policy or otherwise approved by the Chancellor as areas on which licensed carry is prohibited are specific to the room or rooms for which approval has been received. No individual is authorized to expand that area to encompass adjacent hallways, common areas, etc., without the review and approval of the Chancellor.

Whenever you see this sign, you are in a gun-free designated area.

Programs or divisions that wish to restrict concealed carry temporarily shall submit a written request for exemption.

An employee may submit a written request for exemption in accordance with administrative regulations established by the Chancellor.

A requestor must:

Complete a Request for Prohibition of Licensed Carry form; and
Provide all required information including justification that demonstrates that carrying a concealed handgun by a license holder in the area presents a significant danger

Process:

The Dean or Director forwards the request to the appropriate Vice Chancellor with a recommendation
The Vice Chancellor forwards the request to the Executive Vice Chancellor and General Counsel with a recommendation
The Executive Vice Chancellor forwards the request to the Chancellor with a recommendation
The Chancellor renders a final decision, returns a copy to the original requester, and forwards the original to the Executive Vice Chancellor and General Counsel
If approved, the Executive Vice Chancellor and General Counsel forwards the signage request to the Blinn Police Department

All signage must comply with Penal Code Sec. 30.06
Campus Carry signage may only be produced and posted by the Blinn College Police Department
Signage must be conspicuous and visible
Signage costs are the responsibility of the requesting department or entity

Signage timing:

Requests for signage must be submitted to the Blinn College Police Department at least 5 days prior to the event
Signage must be posted no earlier than 2 hours prior to the event
Signage must be removed no later than 2 hours after the event
The Blinn College Police Department will maintain records of all temporary gun-free designated areas and the times at which they occurred

What should I do if I see an individual carrying a handgun on campus?
The safest course of action is to call 911 so police can make contact with the individual.

What should I do if I find a gun unattended?
Call 911. Do not touch the gun. Describe the gun and its location to the dispatcher. If it is safe to do so, stay with the gun until police arrive.

Once the campus carry law goes into effect at Blinn College, how will I know where I can and cannot carry my licensed concealed handgun?
In accordance with the law, gun-free areas will be conspicuously marked with signs.

Which campus carry rules should students who are co-enrolled at Texas A&M University and Blinn College follow?
Co-enrolled students must follow the rules specific to each campus. To review the policies and procedures regarding campus carry at Texas A&M, visit www.tamus.edu/campus-carry-rules.

Where can I find this presentation and other materials related to campus carry at Blinn College?
For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/campus-carry.

Campus Carry Forum Presentation

Campus Carry at Blinn College

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