Campus trustees to oppose guns on campus

The NIC board of trustees voted a majority opposition to a newly introduced state senate bill in a special session yesterday.

Senate Bill 1254 was introduced Monday in Boise, and would allow the carrying of firearms by retired law enforcement officers and holders of Idaho’s enhanced concealed weapons permit on college campuses.

Trustee Christie Wood, seconded by Judy Meyer, proposed that the board not support the bill. The proposal was voted 4-1.

Trustee Todd Banducci cast the sole dissenting vote in favor of the bill.

Trustee Meyer said that the bill supersedes local law and policy , while Ken Howard, board chair, said that the criteria for the permits for retired law enforcement officers and the enhanced concealed carry permit are inconsistent.

Vice President of Legislative Affairs Mark Browning opened the meeting with a powerpoint summarizing specific details of the bill in its current form.

Browning said that the vetting process for the bill was “abnormal”, and that they had only known about the bill since Jan. 23.

During the discussion the potential changing of NIC policy was brought up.

The Senate State Affairs Committee sent the bill is expected to be heard by a full committee some time within the next two weeks.