By Johnny Clements

The Poke Press

A legislative proposal in Louisiana that would allow students and professors to carry firearms on college campuses was removed from consideration by the House of Representatives Monday. 

House Bill 99 was filed by State Representative Danny McCormick in February. The bill allowed anyone over the age of 18 and legally able to possess a firearm to carry concealed weapons on public college campuses and other institutions that receive state funding. 

Under the terms of the bill, firearms would have remained prohibited in certain areas of campus, such as health centers, administrative or disciplinary hearings and any events that required security screenings, such as sporting events. The proposal was an extension of the 2024 decision to allow Louisiana residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit. 

The proposed bill garnered heavy debate between those who support the enhancement of Second Amendment rights and those who believe the bill would make college campuses less safe. 

McNeese State University Interim President Kedrick Nicholas, who himself is licensed to carry concealed weapons, said at the State of the University meeting earlier this month he was concerned about how the bill would impact operations at the university.  

“This is not taking a stance on the Second Amendment or people’s right to concealed carry,” Nicholas said. “However, when we think about the operations and strain for something like this, now we have to amplify security.”  

Nicholas said the university would have to install metal detectors in restricted areas such as health centers and the dean of students’ office. Those areas would also require security guards to operate the metal detectors and perform security screenings. 

“The cost to keep our campus safe with that type of law would be very difficult,” he said. 

Members of the McNeese Police Department echoed this sentiment, claiming that their issues with the proposed bill were not about the constitutionality of the bill, but rather the logistical demands it would place on the police department. The department also questioned where funding for things like metal detectors and heightened security would come from. 

McNeese students were split on the topic. Some students did not like the idea of their classmates carrying weapons on campus. 

“I don’t think I would feel comfortable with someone walking next to me with a gun, especially on a college campus,” said freshman political science major Savion Slaughter. 

Freshman engineering major Peyton Smart said the university police department nullifies the need for such a measure. 

“I don’t know why you would need one [a gun] if we already have someone to protect us,” Smart said. 

Other students thought the bill would make campuses safer, acting as a deterrent for violence on college campuses. 

“I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially with the current state of the world right now,” said junior public relations student Nicholas LaPointe. “Why not? It’s no different than being in any other public space. I feel like it would make some students feel a lot safer.” 

Senior biochemistry major Thad Neely agreed. 

“Everyone would be on equal ground, so the idea of a school shooting would diminish because of the possibility of everyone having a firearm,” he said.