Anne Ryman, and Alia Beard Rau

The Arizona Republic

Past attempts to allow guns on campuses have failed

Critics say allowing guns would create dangerous situations

Regents might allow trained employees to carry guns on campus

The Arizona Board of Regents is taking a stand against a bill that would allow students to carry concealed weapons on campuses statewide, but expressed interest in a program that might allow trained employees to carry guns on school grounds.

The regents voted Wednesday to oppose House Bill 2072, which would allow guns to be carried on college campuses. They also are opposed to HB 2338, which would allow concealed weapons to be carried on the streets and roads at educational institutions.

"My fundamental concern with both bills is this is our jurisdiction," Regents Vice Chairman Greg Patterson said before the unanimous vote.

Patterson and other board members added they are open to looking at expanding the current policy, which could include a campus marshal program where trained employees would be allowed to carry guns on campus.

Regents said they plan to meet with university presidents before making any policy changes.

Rep. Sonny Borrelli, R-Bullhead City, has introduced HB 2072 to allow students and faculty at all public universities, colleges and community colleges to carry a concealed weapon on campus. The gun owners would need to get a concealed-carry permit from the Department of Public Safety.

What are rules on guns at Arizona's universities?

“An individual should be able to defend themselves if the need arises," Borrelli said in a statement. "A conversation must be started about the failed university and college policies that don’t allow faculty or students to defend themselves that is permitted by the state and that is their right under both U.S. and Arizona Constitution.”

On Oct. 9, one student died and three others were wounded on Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff campus after an altercation between two groups of students turned physical.

Steven Jones, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault and contends he acted in self-defense. Colin Brough, 20, died, and Nicholas Prato, Nicholas Piring and Kyle Zientek, all 20, were wounded.

Jones told police he was punched and then chased to his car, where he retrieved a gun from the glove box.

Q&A: Why Arizona needs guns on campus

NAU, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona prohibit guns on campus, although there are exceptions. State law permits a person to store a firearm in a locked vehicle as long as the weapon is not visible from the outside.

Law-enforcement officers are also allowed to carry guns on campus. And university officials also may grant special permission to individuals to carry guns for academic or other university business.

Regents Chairman Jay Heiler, who voted in opposition to both bills, said he favors looking at the addition of a marshal's program that includes "significant numbers" of trained personnel, both armed and unarmed, who are prepared to keep campuses safe in the event of violence.

Heiler said although the NAU shooting was not brought up at the regents meeting, the incident is part of the context for the discussion about campus safety. He said the regents have to have policies, practices and personnel to ensure "we've done all we can to make our campuses safe."

State lawmakers have unsuccessfully sought to allow guns on campus several times over the past decade.

Then-Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, vetoed legislation in 2011 that would have permitted guns on campus. In 2012, a similar bill failed to get legislative approval.

Current Gov. Doug Ducey has promised to "defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms against any infringement."

But that promise was not tested during his first legislative session, during which none of the more controversial gun measures made it to his desk.

Heiler said the latest legislation did not surprise him.

"I knew we were almost certain to get another bill," this session, he said.

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8072 or anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com.