Campus Carry

Carrying a firearm comes with great responsibility.  Texas House Bill 1927 (Permitless Carry), which takes effect September 1, 2021, affords every law-abiding citizen, within the state of Texas, to carry a firearm with certain exceptions and conditions.  The bill repeals Texas Government Code section 46.035, which address carry by a handgun license holder and moves its provisions to prohibited carrying to other statutes. The bill also modifies references throughout the law to a shoulder or belt holster so that the references are to any holster. Provisions prohibiting open carry on campuses of higher education institutions, including community colleges (like TSC), and provisions prohibiting permitting license holders to carry a concealed weapon on campus unless prohibited – consistent with law and by the college with proper notice – are moved to other statutes without modification.

  • Penal Code 46.03 now contains the prohibition on open carry at an institution of higher education and prohibition on carry of concealed weapons consistent with the institution’s regulations.
  • Penal Code 46.03(a)(14) states governmental entities no longer have to post the 30.06 sign prohibiting carrying at the open meeting.
  • Penal Code 46.15 addresses the list of persons permitted to carry in prohibited locations carrying at an open meeting of a governmental body.
  • Penal Code 46.15 also contains the prohibition on carrying at a college sporting event, provided 30.06 and 30.07 signs are posted.
  • Law Enforcement may disarm a person at any time the officer reasonably believes it necessary for the protection of the person, the officer, or another individual.
    • The officer shall return the handgun to the person before discharging the person from the scene if:
      • The officer determines that the person is not a threat to the officer, person, or another individual and
      • The person has not committed a violation that results in the arrest of the person.

Click here to read the full text: Texas House Bill 1927

TSC has developed a policy regarding the locations a license to carry holder may carry a properly concealed and secured handgun.  Refer to the campus carry section of tsc.edu for clarification of this rule and the exclusion zones.

About Campus Carry

During the 84th Texas Legislature, lawmakers passed a law we know as the “Campus Carry” Bill (Senate Bill 11). It allows licensed individuals to carry concealed handguns on academic campuses. The law took effect on August 1, 2016 for all institutions of higher education except for community colleges. The effective date for TSC and community colleges across the state is August 1, 2017.

As we work toward compliance, it is helpful to consider that our implementation date in August 2017 affords us the opportunity to benefit from lessons learned from four-year colleges and universities that must comply with the law one year earlier than the community colleges. We will pay careful attention to the actions of those institutions regarding this matter, as they work towards compliance, while effectively gathering information and assessing our environment and compliance with the law.