Current:Home > NewsCampus carry weapons law debuts in West Virginia, joins 11 other states-LoTradeCoin
Campus carry weapons law debuts in West Virginia, joins 11 other states
View Date:2024-12-24 00:20:45
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — People with concealed carry permits can possess firearms on West Virginia public college and university campuses under a state law that debuted Monday.
Institutions of higher learning can implement exceptions to the law, which bans the open carry of a firearm on campus.
Similar legislation has passed in 11 other states.
As the bill moved through the Legislature last year, the presidents of West Virginia’s largest schools told lawmakers that decisions about whether or not to allow guns on campus should be left to the institutions. They also voiced concerns about students struggling with mental health challenges.
When Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed the law in March 2023 he said he wanted the law to “send a message to the world, by God, if you want to mess with us, we can mess back.”
Schools are permitted to regulate firearms in residence halls, but not in common areas, including lounges, dining areas and study areas. The law also prohibits people from taking guns into areas with a capacity of more than 1,000 spectators — stadiums for football games, for example — or to on-campus daycare centers.
Exceptions to the law are allowed in rooms where a student or employee disciplinary proceeding is being held. Also, guns can be restricted in specifically designated areas where patient care or mental health counseling is being provided.
Colleges and universities must provide a secure location for storage of a pistol or revolver in at least one on-campus residence hall or to make safes available in residence rooms, which could come with a fee.
West Virginia University formed a campus safety group to address the law. Gun lockers are available to students living in residence halls for $140 per semester, said Dean of Students Corey Farris. He said the university has received five requests for gun lockers across its campuses, including four in Morgantown. The university has estimated it will cost $1 million to implement the law.
veryGood! (76324)
Related
- Kennesaw State football coach Brian Bohannon steps down after 10 seasons amid first year in FBS
- Supreme Court sides with Jack Daniel's in trademark dispute with dog toy maker
- Inside Clean Energy: Flow Batteries Could Be a Big Part of Our Energy Storage Future. So What’s a Flow Battery?
- You Won't Be Able to Handle Penelope Disick's Cutest Pics
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- One mom takes on YouTube over deadly social media blackout challenge
- What cars are being discontinued? List of models that won't make it to 2024
- Britney Spears Files Police Report After Being Allegedly Assaulted by Security Guard in Las Vegas
- Why Jersey Shore's Jenni JWoww Farley May Not Marry Her Fiancé Zack Clayton
- The debt ceiling deal bulldozes a controversial pipeline's path through the courts
Ranking
- Today Reveals Hoda Kotb's Replacement
- Inside Clean Energy: Solid-State Batteries for EVs Make a Leap Toward Mass Production
- When the State Cut Their Water, These California Users Created a Collaborative Solution
- 'It's gonna be a hot labor summer' — unionized workers show up for striking writers
- Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
- Britney Spears Speaks Out After Alleged Slap by NBA Star Victor Wembanyama's Security Guard in Vegas
- Apple moves into virtual reality with a headset that will cost you more than $3,000
- Toxic Releases From Industrial Facilities Compound Maryland’s Water Woes, a New Report Found
Recommendation
-
Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
-
Apple moves into virtual reality with a headset that will cost you more than $3,000
-
Chilean Voters Reject a New Constitution That Would Have Provided Groundbreaking Protections for the Rights of Nature
-
The Best Ulta Sale of the Summer Is Finally Here: Save 50% On Living Proof, Lancôme, Stila, Redken & More
-
Surprise bids revive hope for offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico after feds cancel lease sale
-
How two big Wall Street banks are rethinking the office for a post-pandemic future
-
'What the duck' no more: Apple will stop autocorrecting your favorite swear word
-
Two Towns in Washington Take Steps Toward Recognizing the Rights of Southern Resident Orcas