Campus carry panel discussion to examine AC’s plans for 2017

Written By | Maggie Tinoco |

On Aug. 1, the Texas concealed carry law for four-year college campuses will go into effect. On Aug. 1, 2017, it will be the law for two-year colleges in Texas. The law will allow concealed handgun license holders to carry concealed handguns on campuses with the exception of areas that college administrators designate as off-limits.

Robin Malone, coordinator of paralegal studies at Amarillo College, has plans to have a panel discussion about the issue and how AC will handle it. The discussion is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 22 on the Downtown Campus.

“We are going to have members of law enforcement and faculty members discuss the law in general and discuss the effect of the law in Amarillo as well as here at AC,” Malone said.

Some students said they feel uneasy toward the state decision and do not understand why this law passed. Adrian Moore, an animation major, said, “It makes me feel very concerned. Just having guns here in school. I personally don’t like guns, and having them around is really terrifying.”

Malone said the panel discussion will help students who have questions or concerns about the new law before it goes into effect. “A lot of students are going to have questions and even have a little bit of anxiety, so we are hoping that this will help educate and allay some of those feelings,” she said.
Malone said there are certain requirements regarding the new law. For instance, the weapon has to be unseen and concealed, and the carrier has to have a CHL.

On the East Campus, Rudy Guillen, a machining major, saidprotection in school no longer will exist. “You would think school would be a safe place to just learn and socialize, but now fear will be experienced, as if you are entering a bad neighborhood with violence all around,” Guillen said. “There are certain things you can do and procedures to make sure everyone is still safe,” Malone said.

“In the discussion, we will have notecards for students to write questions they might have, and we will answer them so no one is left wondering about the carry on campus law.”