BERKELEY, CA - APRIL 17: UC Berkeley students walk through Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus April 17, 2007 in Berkeley, California. Robert Dynes, President of the University of California, said the University of California campuses across the state with reevaluate security and safety policies in the wake of the shooting massacare at Virginia Tech that left 33 people dead, including the gunman 23 year-old student Cho Seung-Hui. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Assembly has approved a bill that would ban concealed weapons from schools and universities throughout the state.

Lawmakers on Tuesday advanced SB707 by Democratic Sen. Lois Wolk of Davis on a partisan 42-23 vote. The bill removes an exemption that currently allows people with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms on school grounds.

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Supporters say current and retired law enforcement officials would still be allowed to protect campuses. It is backed by police agencies and gun control advocates.

GOP lawmakers who opposed the bill said removing the exemption would limit the number of people who can respond to a school shooting.

Republican Assemblywoman Shannon Grove of Bakersfield said it also prevents female college students from protecting themselves.

The bill now goes to the Senate for a final vote.

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