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UA Board Votes To Bar Faculty From Carrying Guns On Campus

The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees voted Friday (March 21) to prohibit faculty and staff from carrying concealed handguns on all UA campuses. T...

The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees voted Friday (March 21) to prohibit faculty and staff from carrying concealed handguns on all UA campuses.

The board had previously voted in 2013 to ban faculty and staff from carrying guns on campus. The president of the university system was expected to propose a continuance of the ban for the upcoming year.

"The president heard from our chancellors and from public safety officers and faculty across the system, and they all recommended that that policy stay in place," said Ben Beaumont, director of communications for UA system.

A state law was passed in 2013 allowing university and college governing boards across the state to decide whether to opt out of the new law allowing employees with concealed carry permits to carry guns onto campus. Current UA policy allows only campus police officers to carry guns on campus.

Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, introduced legislation in 2013 requiring university boards to opt out of the law annually. If the board fails to opt out, university faculty and staff with permits are allowed, by law, to carry concealed handguns on school property.

Following the vote, Beaumont said, "There was no discussion other than the president's recommendation."

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