In the closing hours of the session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 11, "Relating to the carrying of handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education; providing a criminal penalty."
The measure, which is now headed to Governor Abbott's desk where he will most likely sign it, allows persons with Concealed Handgun Licenses to carry their firearms on college and university campuses. The license requirement does limit campus carry to persons 21 years of age or older.
Schools cannot outright prohibit licensees from carrying but they can designate certain areas as off limits for firearms. However, they must provide a list of those areas to the state for review along with the reasons for the limitations.
Schools are immune from civil actions arising from the actions of a licensed individual.
This was the fourth legislative session to consider campus carry. The movement was started by a group of students following the Virginia Tech Massacre.