The state House Criminal Justice Committee approved a widely-debated gun bill with an 11 to 3 vote Thursday after three hours of discussion. House Bill 199, introduced by Rep. Ernest Wooton, of Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Charles parishes, would authorize concealed handgun license holders to exercise permits on higher education campuses. The bill aims to limit a college or university's authority to regulate or prohibit concealed carry on campus. Representatives Roy Burrell, Frank Howard and Barbara Norton voted against the bill. The bill will advance to the House floor, where it will be discussed and voted on by all representatives. Wooton said the bill applies to all members of a campus community, including faculty, staff and visitors in addition to students. "This is not about students," Wooton said. "It's about concealed handgun holders on college campuses." Wooton said he was motivated by the Virginia Tech shootings, although his main concern is the safety of those who would like to carry a concealed handgun. Wooton said ignorance about handguns propagates a negative connotation about them. "Most of this discomfort is caused when you don't know anything about handguns or weapons," Wooton said. "This permit law requires that you be totally familiar with your weapon, have the ability to use your weapon and qualify with the weapon." The concealed carry permits process includes gun training, a police background check and a mental health check by a doctor. Applicants must be at least 21. Wooton said he does not expect students to rush to apply for concealed handgun permit if the bill passes. Everett Baudean, LSU Firearm Rights Coalition president, said he does not see a difference between college campuses and other areas in the state where concealed carry is allowed. Maj. Lawrence Rabalais, LSUPD spokesman, did not comment during committee hearings, though his name was listed in opposition to the bill. Rabalais said "it would be a huge mistake for that bill to be passed because there are certain places that a gun would not be recommended" in an interview with The Daily Reveille this past month. Elizabeth Cook, member of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus LSU chapter and Paul M. Hebert Law Center student, said she has not turned in her application for a concealed handgun permit because she cannot use her weapon where she spends most of her time - on campus. "As a female who lives alone, I am forced to recognize that if it came down to it in a physical altercation between myself and a male, I'm toast," Cook said. Cook said she is concerned about her safety when walking to her car late at night. "I can't protect myself," Cook said. "Give me the opportunity to protect myself." Among those speaking in opposition to the bill were representatives from Southeastern University, Grambling State University and McNeese University. Joe Savoie, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education, said he disagrees with the bill because it undermines the authority of a higher education institution to provide a safe environment for students. He said research and data indicate the widespread presence of concealed weapons would not make campuses safer and would not deter shooters. "It's unlikely that the prospect of being shot would deter a shooter who already intends to commit suicide," Savoie said. Savoie said college campuses are much safer than the communities that surround them, and the odds of being murdered on a college campus are extremely low.
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