NASHVILLE -- After discussion on handguns on campus, the University of Arkansas System board of trustees voted to again disallow concealed-carry at its schools for the 2016-17 academic year.

Act 226 of 2013 allows concealed-carry permit holders to take a concealed handgun onto a public university, college or community college if the permit holder is a staff member there. The law also allows the governing board of the institutions to opt out of the law, disallowing concealed-carry on campus.

If the governing boards go that route, it will expire annually, placing the matter before the board again.

Since the law was enacted, the UA System board has chosen to adopt a policy -- backed by chancellors -- to not allow concealed-carry by staff members in buildings or grounds of a campus.

On Thursday, the issue came before the board as it had the past two years, and Trustee Kelly Eichler of Little Rock said she was concerned with the policy.

"This is more than a majority vote," she said. "This is a constitutional right. It's not just a privilege."

The board voted 7-2 to again opt out, with Eichler and Trustee John Goodson wanting to allow concealed-carry by staff members on campuses.

A Section on 05/27/2016