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Emporia State University Student Government Opposes Guns on Campus

EMPORIA, Kan. ― Student government at Emporia State University is expressing its opposition to guns on campus after lawmakers approved a measure that will allow guns in campus buildings starting in July.

The Associated Student Government released a resolution against guns on campus. The group’s president, Elijah Williams, said a recent survey showed that 72 percent of students oppose allowing guns on school grounds, according to the Emporia Gazette.

“Increasing the amount of guns on campus does not make the university a safer institution,” the resolution said. “Resolved that the Associated Student Government of Emporia State University does not support bringing guns on campus, or storing guns in university facilities, excluding the Police and Safety Building.”

In Kansas, where gun owners can carry concealed without a license or training, public universities starting in July must allow anyone 21 or older to have concealed firearms on campus in buildings that don’t have security measures, including metal detectors ― an option widely considered cost-prohibitive for most campus buildings. Opposition has been fierce on the system’s six campuses, largely on public safety grounds.

Emporia State University faculty members have also approved a resolution opposing guns on campus.

Breeze Richardson, a spokeswoman for the Kansas board of regents, noted the resolutions cannot overrule state statutes.

Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Kansas State Universities presented proposed policies on how they will handle the gun law to the board in October. The University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Pittsburg State University will present polices this month.

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