GOP lawmaker pushes for allowing concealed guns in schools

Texas Republican Rep. Randy Weber has introduced legislation that would allow people with concealed carry permits to possess guns in schools nationwide.

Weber’s bill reflects a new law in his state that requires public universities to allow legally concealed handguns on campus. Openly carrying guns on college campuses is still banned under Texas law. 

The second-term lawmaker argued that his measure would offer a line of defense in schools.

{mosads}“It is time for Congress to act in a way that will keep our children safe, and I believe that my legislation will help us do just that,” Weber said in a statement.

Under the provisions of Weber’s bill, anyone not prohibited from carrying a concealed gun, along with qualified law enforcement officers, could possess concealed firearms in what have traditionally been gun-free school zones.

GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said last month that he would end gun-free zones in schools and military bases if elected to the White House. 

“Now, you know what a gun-free zone is to a sicko? That’s bait,” Trump said at a rally in Burlington, Vt., days after President Obama announced executive actions to expand background checks for gun purchases. ”That ends immediately. We’re going back to sanity in this country.”

Weber’s bill has 19 Republican co-sponsors so far, including 11 fellow Texans.

Earlier Wednesday, the University of Texas at Austin announced a new policy generally allowing concealed carry on campus to comply with the new state law, despite resistance from the school’s president and students.

Some places on campus will still remain gun-free under the new policy, such as laboratories with hazardous chemicals and areas that commonly host activities for preschool to high school level students.