House Bill No. by Representative Marcelle seeks to amend existing laws regarding the carrying of firearms on college and university campuses, specifically prohibiting the possession of firearms in dormitory rooms. The bill retains the current provisions that outline the crime of carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon by students or nonstudents on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in firearm-free zones. However, it introduces new language that clarifies exceptions to this offense, including students carrying firearms to or from classes that require their use and students participating in authorized activities such as ROTC functions.

The proposed law explicitly states that while students may carry firearms for educational purposes, they are not allowed to possess these firearms in their dormitory rooms. This amendment removes the previous allowance for students to have firearms in their dormitory rooms, thereby tightening regulations around firearm possession in residential areas of college campuses. Overall, the bill aims to enhance safety by restricting firearm access in dormitories while still accommodating educational needs related to firearms.

Statutes affected:
HB328 Original: 14:2(C)