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(Joe Songer (jsonger@al.com))

Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City

A state representative from Etowah County says public places are safer when there are armed, law-abiding citizens around, and that includes college campuses.

Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, is proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow people with concealed carry pistol permits to carry on state college campuses.

Butler said mass shooters tend to choose targets where guns are banned, like the killer who left 32 people dead at Virginia Tech in 2007.

"Very possibly a concealed carry first responder could have changed the outcome" of some mass murders, Butler said.

Alabama's four-year universities generally prohibit people from carrying firearms on their campuses, with limited exceptions, such as for law enforcement.

Some have written policies that allow employees to have firearms secured in their vehicles.

Athens State University grants waivers to faculty, staff and students who have concealed carry permits to allow them to have guns in their vehicles while on campus.

The Alabama Community College System prohibits firearms at two-year colleges and technical colleges. Exceptions are for law enforcement officers who are on duty, enrolled in classes or teaching a firearms class.

Butler's bill applies to private colleges, as well as public, but includes a section that says private colleges can adopt policies to prohibit guns.

The minimum age to apply for a pistol permit in Alabama is 18.

The legality of guns on college campuses is the subject of debate in many states.

Eight states authorize concealed carry on college campuses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

They are Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. The Texas legislature passed a bill last year, and many other states have considered similar legislation, the NCSL reports.

Butler said he made his bill a proposed constitutional amendment so that voters would have a direct say.

"Instead of the politicians making the decision, let the people weigh in on this," Butler said. "It is a sensitive issue."

Butler said he universities have contacted him about his bill, mostly just seeking information.

"I haven't had anybody screaming and hollering about it," he said.

Seven other House members have signed on as co-sponsors. Butler expects significant opposition, though.

"I think this is not a slam-dunk in the Legislature," he said. "I think it's going to be a fight."

Constitutional amendments require approval of three-fifths of the members of the House and Senate to be put on the ballot for voters.

The legislative session begins Feb. 2.