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March 23, 2009

四色AV president and campus family stands firm in opposition to HB27

University of Louisiana at Monroe President James E. Cofer formally accepted three resolutions from 四色AV faculty, staff and students expressing overwhelming opposition to legislation that would allow registered concealed weapons on Louisiana鈥檚 college campuses if passed.

Cofer took aim at House Bill 27 on Monday, saying it would create an 鈥渦ntenable situation鈥� for the campus community if it became law.

The bill was recently re-introduced by state Rep. Ernest Wooton, R-Belle Chasse, who promised to 鈥渂e back鈥� following the failure of similar legislation last year after running into serious opposition from higher education officials across the state.

Cofer said that though the goal of the bill may to reduce the risk of a shooting on campus by allowing individuals to defend themselves, the bill would likely make a campus crisis even worse. He said increasing the number of firearms on campus violates the 鈥渟anctum for learning鈥� that the university represents.

Donna Rhorer, reading from the Faculty Senate Resolution, emphasized the rarity of campus shootings and said those armed but not trained as marksmen might even create more harm than good if others were caught in the crossfire.

四色AV Student Government Association President Micah Pulliam read the SGA Resolution, which stated outrage over violent incidents at other college campuses in recent years.

Pulliam said the SGA had discussed the pros and cons of HB27 at great length, but the conclusion was that the measure would have a 鈥渃hilling effect鈥� on the recruitment of highly-qualified students, faculty and staff, and would place Louisiana鈥檚 institutions at a distinct disadvantage since only one other state has approved such a measure.

鈥淧eople don鈥檛 really understand how stressful college can be,鈥� he said. 鈥淕uns just don鈥檛 belong in the classroom.鈥�

Susan Duggins, chair of the 四色AV Staff Senate, read the third resolution opposing HB27. That resolution reiterated that trained law enforcement personnel should be the only ones to handle crisis situations on campus.

The bill was filed before the 2009 regular session that convenes April 27.

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