Campus Carry: An Ongoing Debate

Story by, Logan Martin

Senate Bill 11 goes into effect August 1st, 2016. The bill will make legal the carrying of handguns on campus come Fall semester.

Alex Molinaro

Photo by: Logan Martin

20-year-old Sophomore Political Science Major Alex Molinaro feels opposed to the implementation of Campus Carry saying that the university is a place where guns are not welcome.

"Anyone could put a backpack on, come to campus and appear as a student," Molinaro said. "I can't tell who is a student and who is not."

Taylor Cavin

Photo by: Corey Roland

Molinaro is not alone in his concern, Junior Education Major Taylor Cavin feels that the campus will become less safe as a result of the new law.

"This is a place of education," Cavin said. "We already have the measures that we need to feel safe as it is." 

Keisha Ray

Photo by: Katherine Huerta

Professor Keisha Ray of the University of Texas at Houston said that students would be hindered in the classroom as a result of the new policy.

"I oppose it coming out of it from an instructor's point of view," Ray said. "It may be intimidating for students to talk about certain subjects if they know that their classmates have a weapon."

The Texas Tribune affirms Ray's comments and says that most campus student government associations agree guns would make campuses less safe.

Despite the chronic backlash against the implementation of Campus Carry, several students agree with its application to campus life.  

Jesse Miara

Photo by: Clayton Kolavo

22-year-old Computer Science Major Jesse Miara says that the Constitution protects an individual's rights to carry a weapon on campus.

"I don't think there is a need but I feel that it is a right that deserves to be exercised," Miara said.

Kristen Courtney

photo by: Rebecca Mendoza

18-year-old Freshman Biology Major Kristen Courtney said that the response time in confronting a shooter would be much faster than relying on campus police to reach the suspect.

Campus Carry will become a reality beginning in August of this year and anyone with questions or concerns should contact the Texas State University Police Department at

512-245-2805.