Va. bill would allow college faculty to carry guns, negating UVa regulation

RICHMOND — Less than two months after the University of Virginia strengthened its campus weapons restrictions, a state legislator has introduced a bill that would circumvent the university’s intentions.

The legislation would allow faculty members to carry concealed handguns on college campuses. UVa’s newly adopted weapons regulation prohibits students, faculty and visitors from carrying weapons on university property.

The regulation, like those adopted by other state agencies, carries the full weight of state law.

“Del. Marshall’s proposed legislation conflicts with our regulation, which we believe demonstrates the university’s commitment to a safe community,” said UVa spokeswoman Carol Wood.

Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, said he first filed the bill after the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, which left 32 students and faculty dead. He believes that putting more guns in the hands of responsible adults could prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

An armed professor could halt a shooter before police arrive, he said.

Professors who obtain a concealed-carry permit undergo a state background check and have to prove basic competency. Parents trust these same professors to teach their children and Marshall believes they should be allowed to carry guns on campus, he said.

He criticized schools for adopting policies that disarm concealed-carry permit-holders.

“They really are inviting the wolves to go after the sheep,” Marshall said of would-be attackers.

Del. David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, doesn’t think faculty members should carry guns on campus. But each institution should be allowed to craft policies that meet the needs of the campus and legislators should not intervene, he said.

“It’s not something we should force upon institutions,” Toscano said.

Gov. Bob McDonnell does not believe the legislature should prevent universities from banning weapons on campus. He said recently that he would not sign a bill that would hamper the state’s colleges and universities from setting their own weapons policies.

McDonnell has not yet reviewed Marshall’s bill, however, according to the governor’s office.

The UVa Faculty Senate has not discussed the issue and members of the executive council declined to comment for this story.

UVa’s Board of Visitors approved the new weapons regulation in November to replace a policy that also banned weapons on campus. The change was needed after a July advisory opinion from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli found the policy unenforceable.

Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr., R-Augusta County, requested Cuccinelli review the policy after a Greene County resident was told he couldn’t carry a gun inside the UVa Medical Center.

However, a recent Virginia Supreme Court ruling upheld a George Mason regulation that also banned weapons on the Fairfax campus. UVa drafted its new regulation to comply with that ruling.

The university’s new regulation bans weapons from academic buildings, dorms and the Medical Center, among others. Law enforcement members are exempt from the regulations and weapons are permitted for artistic displays or educational purposes.