LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - University of Wyoming athletics director Tom Burman said he has concerns about a bill working its way through the state Legislature that would allow for the concealed carrying of firearms at university athletic events.
“The additional challenges caused by the legislation in other states bring up concerns about what could potentially happen in this state,” Burman said.
House Bill 136 has passed the state House and is now in the Senate. The legislation specifically permits lawful conceal carry at athletic events.
Nine other states allow people to carry concealed weapons on college campuses although not all allow guns at athletic venues.
One college is expected to spend more than $1 million to install metal detectors and take other security measures to make sure guns stay out of athletic events.
Bill Sparks, senior associate athletic director of business operations for UW athletics, said “we’re watching the landscape and the things happening in other states.”
Supporters of House Bill 136 said allowing the lawful carrying of firearms on campus would make colleges safer. The bill passed the House on a 40-19 vote.
Albany County’s lawmakers in the House, both Republican and Democrat, voted against the measure.
Burman said he is opposed to the bill though his view has evolved since the last time lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to allow concealed carry for college campuses and athletic events.
He said when a similar bill came up a few years ago, he was concerned about the reaction outside of Wyoming.
“…I was concerned officials may say, ’I’m not coming to Laramie,’” Burman told the Laramie Boomerang (https://bit.ly/2khYckR). “I’m not worried about that now, but having said that, I’m opposed to a concealed weapon law that would allow people to bring weapons into War Memorial Stadium and Arena-Auditorium.”
UW President Laurie Nichols and the Faculty Senate also oppose conceal carry on campus.
A survey conducted by UW’s student government, the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming, found students are split nearly evenly. Of 936 respondents, 48.7 percent said they are in favor of concealed carry on campus with 47.6 opposed. Just more than 3.6 percent said they are not sure.
UW athletic programs are part of the Mountain West Conference.
Javan Hedlund, associate commissioner of communications for the Mountain West, said the conference does not currently have a policy on concealed carry laws.
“If it were to pass . that would be a discussion for our Board of Directors,” Hedlund said.
___
Information from: Laramie Boomerang, https://www.laramieboomerang.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.