JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. ― Missouri lawmakers have begun discussing whether to allow concealed weapons on college campuses.
A Senate committee began hearing testimony Wednesday on a bill that would only allow campuses to ban concealed weapons if the school posts armed guards and metal detectors at every entrance to every campus building.
Other bills in the House and Senate would also expand access to guns on campuses.
Bill sponsor Sen. Brian Munzlinger said mass shooters can kill many people in the time it takes for police to arrive. The Williamstown Republican says law-abiding citizens with proper training can save lives in that situation.
Missouri State University President Clifton M. Smart said binge drinking and mental health crises are more common in college, and adding more guns to that mix would be a bad idea.
