A bill allowing concealed weapons on college campuses would require increased security personnel and equipment funded by the Legislature, a Senate Appropriations Committee co-chair said Thursday.
State Sen. Jonnie Crutchfield said House Bill 2513, which has been referred to his committee, may have a latent fiscal impact.
“Everything I’ve heard about this bill would require the possibility of additional security measures,” said Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, citing the need for additional security personnel and equipment.
When asked during a weekly meeting with reporters, the Senate’s GOP leader did not say whether there were any plans to attach money to the bill.
“We’ve always sent a lot important issues related to higher ed and such to that committee, so it seemed appropriate,” said state Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
Senate author Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, calls the committee assignment process “squirrelly” because of the party tie in the Senate, saying the outcome is sometimes surprising when both sides have to agree on where a bill will be heard.
“That’s a big committee and there’s a lot of eyes that gets to look at it, and that may be one of the reasons,” he said.
House Bill 2513 would let active and former members of the military, along with CLEET-certified individuals, to carry a handgun on Oklahoma college campuses as long as they are certified by the state. College and university presidents oppose the bill, but Brogdon said he has not heard a valid argument against the proposal.
“The universities oftentimes have a different view than what the populace has. It’s not surprising they would come out against this,” said Brogdon. “They have a very laser-focused view on their sense of reality, and oftentimes that is not the real view of reality.”
He said there are more than 60,000 concealed carriers certified in Oklahoma.
To stay alive, the bill must be approved by the Appropriations Committee next week.
Jeff Packham contributed to this story.
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