State Board of Education approves guns on campus

The State Board of Education today approved an amendment to its policy on campus safety for the state’s four-year institutions.

The updated policy provides additional guidance based on the passage of legislation this year allowing for the concealed carry of firearms on public college and university campuses.

The updated policy makes it clear that firearms are allowed on campus only as described in section 18-3309(2), Idaho Code, or as allowed by the institution as part of an event or program approved by the institution president.

“Our public universities and college are extraordinarily safe environments, and the Board is committed to ensuring that remains the case,” said Board President Emma Atchley. “The institutions will continue to work with security experts and local law enforcement to develop comprehensive plans to ensure the safety of students and others who use and visit our public college and university campuses.”

The institutions are in the process of updating their security plans, and the institution presidents will report on those plans at the August 13th-14th Board meeting in Pocatello.