Former bill sponsor has no plan yet for “campus carry”
A Missouri state senator said he has no plan yet to file legislation allowing guns on college campuses.
Senator Brian Munzlinger (R – Williamstown) told ABC 17 News he has not considered filing the same bill he did last session. It would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to bring their firearms on campus, with some state-approved exceptions.
A student at Ohio State University on Monday was shot and killed by campus police after the 18-year-old drove his car into a crowd, then attacked people with a knife.
Both Ohio and Missouri state law restrict the carrying of guns on college campuses. Ohio State does allow permit holders to keep guns in their cars, but the University of Missouri does not allow it. Attorney General Chris Koster is challenging that rule, after an MU law professor sued both the school and him over the campus’ gun rules.
While his campus carry bill did not make it out of committee last session, Sen. Munzlinger said he was pleased with the reaction some schools had in response. He met with officials at both Missouri State and Southeast Missouri State to review different aspects of their security, and ensure it met with current state laws.
“It caused not only the University of Missouri, but a lot of other campuses across the state to look at their policy and look at their safety protocol,” Munzlinger told ABC 17 News. Even though it didn’t pass, it helped provide safety for the students that are on our campuses.”
The Williamstown Republican also sponsored Senate Bill 656, which affected several different gun laws in the state, including the waiving of training and education to get a concealed carry permit beginning January 1. Munzlinger stressed the importance for people to still obtain training for any firearm and familiarity with state law, such as prohibited places to carry a weapon, such as college campuses.
Asked if he felt the loss of mandatory training to get a CCW permit would negatively affect people’s understanding of the law, Munzlinger said he supported people’s right to carry a firearm.
“They’re still ultimately responsible,” he said. “But I also believe in a person’s right to protect themselves. Since, hopefully, they will be responsible for, it’s up to them to know what Missouri’s laws are.”
