Texas students can soon bring guns to dorm rooms; here’s what they can’t bring

What's banned on Texas college campuses?

Next year, students at Texas public universities will be able to bring a firearm on campus. But, unless the school code changes, other items like slingshots, Nerf guns and incense will remain banned. See the items that state schools ban while allowing guns.

less What's banned on Texas college campuses?

Next year, students at Texas public universities will be able to bring a firearm on campus. But, unless the school code changes, other items like slingshots, Nerf guns ... more Photo: TAMMY MCKINLEY Photo: TAMMY MCKINLEY Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Texas students can soon bring guns to dorm rooms; here’s what they can’t bring 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Texas public colleges will allow firearms on campus next year, but as long as nothing changes in student handbooks, water and Nerf guns will remain banned.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill permitting concealed carry at public universities this summer. The controversial law will go into effect Aug. 1, the 50th anniversary of the Charles Whitman shooting at the University of Texas at Austin that killed 16 people. It also passed during a year where more than 20 shootings have taken place on college campuses, including one in Oregon last month that killed nine.

Students will need a concealed carry permit and to be 21 years or older. Across the U.S., eight states have laws that allow firearms on campus. Only 19 states have outright bans, while the rest let colleges devise their own policies.

RELATED: 'Cocks not Glocks' - Sex toys to replace guns at University of Texas campus

Student handbooks at Texas public schools show an interesting juxtaposition between the items that will stay banned from dorm rooms while guns will be legal. See the items that colleges specifically an in the gallery. The majority of the prohibited objects are considered fire hazards.

Most kitchen appliances like crock pots, toasters or even blenders are expressly disallowed at some Texas colleges. The government will trust students with guns next year, but they won’t be able to handle candles or even incense (an icon of liberal college students?).

READ MORE: Whitman victim testifies against open carry gun bill

Texas A&M even goes as far as to single out toy Nerf guns for a ban, and the University of Houston outlaws water guns. The rule makes sense of course. Seeing someone running around on campus firing a toy a gun could definitely cause some issues. But it still feels strange to know fake guns are the only kind not allowed at Texas public schools.

See the gallery above for 18 items banned from Texas public college campuses.