"As we evaluated it through surveys, through interviews, working with our board of trustees, we determined that a college student did not need to have a weapon on a college campus. We don't believe that that is the greatest measure of safety for college students," Dr. Blackburn said.



"Sixty-five percent of our students are under 21 years of age anyway so they wouldn't even qualify to carry," he added.



One student, who is working to get his permit to carry, still supports this new policy.



"It doesn't bother me here. There are other places I wouldn't be able to carry as well. But I do feel safe here. I won't have an issue feeling safe if I'm not allowed to carry," Conner Combs said.