Texas House Approves Guns on Campus, School Marshals Bills

The Texas House has approved contentious plans to let college students carry concealed weapons to class and create special marshals for public schools statewide.

Both measures were part of what has been unofficially dubbed “gun day” at the Texas House on May 4.

Lawmakers took up a long line of bills related to firearms or their licensing or regulation.

The most fiercely debated measure allowed concealed weapons permit holders to take their handguns into college classrooms. It would, however, allow colleges to opt-out – which has softened critics’ opposition somewhat.

Another measure lets school districts and charter schools appoint one employee per every 400 students as a school marshal. Their identities would remain confidential to public, but they would receive firearms training and have access to a gun in emergencies.