Phoenix, AZ: Bill 1198, which would prohibit college campuses from prohibiting the carriage of firearms by individuals who possess a valid concealed carry weapon permit, was approved by the Arizona Senate on February 15. Before holding a final vote with all members, the Arizona House of Representatives is presently reviewing the bill. Presently unknown is the date of the final vote.
On campus, the storage and possession of weapons are strictly prohibited by policy at NAU, ASU, and UArizona. Personal safety equipment (e.g., pepper spray or sirens) is permitted at all three institutiiions.
College boards are prohibited from prohibiting concealed weapon carry by permit-holding individuals, according to the language of the law. Each of the three universities would be required to revise its prohibition if the legislation were to be passed and signed.
For firearms law violations (individuals in possession of firearms or any other weapon prohibited by each college board) on campus, NAU documented a total of three referrals for disciplinary action or arrests in 2020, 2021, and 2022. ASU Tempe and UArizona each recorded one violation and three violations during the same time period.
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In the event that the House approves and the governor signs SB 1198, prohibitions on the storage or possession of weapons on campus would also be revised at community colleges, including Maricopa Community Colleges and Coconino Community College.
Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-District 7) sponsored Senate Bill 1198, which was voted on a partisan splitway through the chambers. Specifically, ten of fourteen Democratic senators opposed the bill, while all sixteen Republican senators supported it. Four Democrats were absent from the polls.
Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action, Arizona chapters of gun control organizations, characterized SB 1198 in a press release dated February 15 as “reckless” as part of the Everytown for Gun Safety network. The proposals, according to the press release, would not contribute to the mitigation of gun violence on Arizona’s campuses.
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As SB 1198 approaches its vote in the House, which is controlled by the Republicans 31 to 29, the Arizona Legislation website enables monitoring of its development.