North Dakota lawmakers debate campus carry

From the Peace Garden State:

A bill being heard Friday by a legislative committee would allow people with concealed weapons permits to bring guns to North Dakota college campuses.

About 65 students have joined a group called the University of North Dakota Students for Concealed Carry on Campus in support of House Bill 1348, said the group’s president, Greg Plautz.

“Students, faculty and visitors to the UND campus would no longer have to forego their means of self-protection before arriving on campus grounds,” states the group’s position on the bill.

The bill would allow people licensed to carry firearms to bring guns to public gatherings, sporting events, political rallies and other functions. It exempts public and private K-12 schools, but not universities.

Representatives from the North Dakota State University Police and Safety Office plan to testify against the bill.

Article here.

Meanwhile, in neighboring South Dakota:

PIERRE - The South Dakota Board of Regents should continue to regulate firearms on public university campuses, a legislative committee said.

The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 5-4 against SB82, a bill that would have made it illegal for a campus to restrict a student's right to have a firearm. The bill would have barred campus officials from expelling or disciplining a student who had a firearm.

The committee vote Wednesday came on a recommendation that the bill not pass. Under legislative rules, a bill tagged with that recommendation must receive 18 votes from the full Senate to be placed on the calendar for floor debate. A call for that vote could come later this week.

Article here.