UCA became the first four-year university to oppose Act 226 of 2013, the Arkansas concealed-carry law, when the board of trustees voted 5-1 to opt out of the law at its May 3 meeting.
If board members had not decided on the matter before the law takes effect within 90 days, UCA would have automatically opted in to the law that allows faculty and staff members with concealed-handgun permits to carry weapons on campuses.
State Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, introduced the bill and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signed Act 226 into law March 1.
President Tom Courtway said that while some faculty and staff may support the law, the best move for the campus is to remain a gun-free zone. Courtway first publicly voiced his opposition to the law at the Feb. 20 Campus Talk.
“The existing [gun]policy has been in effect for many years,” he said. “We did have the situation in 2008 on a Sunday night, but other than that I believe our campus is very safe.”
Two students — freshman Ryan Henderson and sophomore Chavares Block — were shot to death outside Arkansas Hall in 2008. Following the incident, UCAPD established the UCAAlert system, which notifies the UCA community of emergency situations on campus.
Before the vote, board member Kay Hinkle voiced her support for Act 226 and opposition to the board resolution as the only no vote among trustees.
She asked Courtway to provide trustees with his biggest objection to concealed carry at the university. Courtway said UCAPD adequately monitors and handles threats to campus security.
Hinkle said she is a firm believer in the second amendment right to carry weapons. She added that faculty and staff should be given the choice to carry concealed handguns even if UCAPD is “one of the best [police forces].”
“I think it’s their right to be able to do that,” she said. “That’s just my opinion. I know I’m in the minority. I can’t live with myself if I don’t express that.”
Trustee Bobby Reynolds asked Courtway if the university had a list of names of employees with concealed-carry permits. Courtway said he did not believe the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act allowed such information to be available to the public. The Arkansas legislature exempted the information from state law during the 2013 session.
The board vote followed months of deliberation and discussion from students, faculty and staff who participated in forums and surveys regarding the concealed-carry law.
UCAPD, faculty senate and staff senate opposed allowing handguns on campus, while polling from students showed support for the law.
Members of the UCA community participated in a staff senate survey conducted between March 30 and April 10. According to survey results from question three, 56 percent of students (248) supported the law with 71 percent of faculty (140) and 50 percent of staff (75) opposing concealed carry on campus.
The opt-out decision is effective for one year and the board will decide annually on the law. Courtway said the board can decide then whether it could “delineate a certain group.”
“I would go down that road with great trepidation,” he said.
Republican State Rep. Mark Lowery of Maumelle, visiting communication lecturer, co-sponsored the concealed-carry measure and praised UCA’s efforts to receive feedback before making a decision at the board meeting.
Hendrix College also voted out of the concealed-carry law last week. Other Arkansas four-year institutions such as the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas State University and Arkansas Tech University have yet to decide on Act 226.
The University of Arkansas is scheduled to take up the issue at its May 23 board of trustees meeting.
