12/22/2016
Good Morning San Jacinto College Community,
Over the past few days, there has been a lot of media coverage on the new gun laws in Texas. As we are preparing for the holiday break, I want to remind you about these gun law changes and their impact on San Jacinto College.
During the 84th legislative session, the Texas legislature passed two gun laws – House Bill 910, more commonly known as the Open Carry law; and Senate Bill 11, more commonly known as the Campus Carry law.
Open carry gun laws are effective in the state of Texas on January 1, 2016. This means that handgun license holders may lawfully carry their handguns in an open manner throughout the state of Texas as long as the handgun is secured in a shoulder or belt holster; but they may not openly carry on the premises of a community college or on a public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, or parking area of a community college. This means that NO employee, student, visitor or guest may open carry at San Jacinto College.
A licensed holder also has the option of carrying a concealed handgun. The campus carry law goes into effect for universities in August 2016. San Jacinto College and other community colleges throughout the state of Texas have until August 2017 to implement the law. The Campus Carry law does not permit concealed handgun carry on a community college campus until August 2017. At that time, each community college must have in place rules regarding concealed handguns on campus. We began the information gathering process during the Fall semester and additional input from employees, students, and community members will be gathered over the Spring semester to develop those rules.
Currently, guns are not permitted on or in any San Jacinto College campus or facility (whether owned or leased), but licensed holders may store or transport a firearm or ammunition in a locked, private motor vehicle on a street, driveway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area on the campus.
For more information: sanjac.edu/campus-carry
Information on Texas Handgun Licensing: dps.texas.gov/rsd/ltc/index.htm
Additional information including frequently asked questions will be provided after the holiday break.
Thank you for your commitment to San Jacinto College and our students, and I wish all of you a wonderful holiday break!
Best,
BH