Lawmakers consider guns at Missouri colleges

Missouri House members are considering whether to allow concealed firearms on college campuses. A House committee on Monday heard testimony on two Republican-sponsored bills aimed at expanding gun access at higher education institutions.

Under one measure, schools that wanted to opt out would need to staff the doors of every building with armed security and metal detectors.

The second bill also has exemptions, including some sporting events and areas with grade-school children.

Similar bills are pending in the Senate.

Supporters argue students should be able to protect themselves on campus and that armed citizens with proper training can save lives during mass shootings.

ABC 17 News talked to one of the sponsors, who says people are focusing on the wrong side of the problem. “For those that think guns are dangerous or guns are the problem, it’s probably the same people that think that cars drive drunk or that spoons make people fat. The truth is a gun is a tool,” said State Rep. Mike Kelley, (R) Lamar.

University administrators have criticized efforts to expand gun access on campuses, saying it’s dangerous given binge drinking and mental health issues among college students.