The Senate Judiciary Committee held its first hearing Monday on a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons on University of Alaska campuses.
Sen. Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, introduced Senate Bill 174 in early February. Similar measures have been considered by the Legislature in recent years, including by Sen. John Coghill, R-Fairbanks, in 2014.
Kelly testified Monday that the December mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, spurred him to introduce the bill this session. He said that not allowing guns on campus is a violation of both the Alaska and U.S. constitutional right to bear arms.
"Citizens of the state of Alaska don't give up constitutional rights at the border of the university," he told the committee.
UA General Counsel Michael Hostina testified that some guns are already permitted on campus for special events or for students who live in the dorms -- though they must place weapons in secure storage. He said people visiting campus may leave firearms locked in their vehicles.
The university opposes the measure in its current form. Hostina noted that certain public areas -- including courtrooms, K-12 schools, bars and domestic violence shelters, already have gun restrictions.
"Students don't check their constitutional rights at the door," he testified. "But just like entering a courtroom or bar … they are subject to reasonable restrictions."
The committee will continue public testimony on the bill Wednesday.