ABOR statement on guns on campus bills

Statement from ABOR Chair Jay Heiler on Guns on Campus Bills

(Phoenix, Ariz.) – “Today, the Arizona Board of Regents voted unanimously to oppose HB 2072 and HB 2338 regarding guns on the campuses of Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.

The board opposed the bills on the basis that the board is vested with the authority to govern the state’s public universities.

Given the board’s authority, recognizing changing policies on campuses around the nation and recurring events involving deranged or terrorist shooters on campuses and elsewhere, the board will discuss relevant policy with the universities’ presidents and chiefs of police and explore measures to advance campus safety. One measure discussed included the potential of a ‘campus marshal’ program that might enlist former and active law enforcement, military and other highly trained personnel on campus to provide additional security.”