Arizona bill would allow nonlethal weapons on college campuses
Jan 19, 2018, 10:01 AM | Updated: 11:42 am
PHOENIX — An Arizona bill introduced this week would allow any person to carry a nonlethal weapon on any publicly-funded community college, university or private post-secondary institution campus.
The bill defined nonlethal weapons as “a weapon that is explicitly designed and developed to incapacitate or repel a person with a low probability of fatality or permanent injury”.
Under this definition, the bill would allow stun guns, pepper spray and other items on college campuses.
Introduced in the state House on Jan. 16, the bill was read for a second time at the on Jan. 17 after going through the House Education and House Rules committees. The next step would be to go back to committee or to be voted on by the House.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Travis Grantham (R-Gilbert) and is cosponsored by Sen. Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert).
In the past, lawmakers have tried to get a more lethal form of protection on campus. They, and even some student-led organizations, have pushed for firearms on campus. Some lawmakers have also tried to pass concealed-carry laws for college students which drew some controversy.
However, most of these bills haven’t made it past committee.
It is still currently against state law to carry a firearm on a college campus unless the person is a law enforcement officer.