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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The House Judiciary Committee endorsed a bill Wednesday that would allow people who hold concealed carry permits to take guns onto school grounds and into most public meetings.
The committee voted 8-1 in favor of House Bill 114 after hearing two hours of testimony. The bill now goes to the House floor for debate.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Allen Jaggi, R-Lyman, would allow people with concealed carry permits to take their guns to any public facility or gathering except courtrooms. Private businesses also would have the authority to disallow concealed guns on their property.
Supporters say the bill would improve public safety by discouraging or thwarting armed attackers and uphold basic constitutional rights. Opponents say schools and public places should be free of guns and that accidents with guns would be more of a problem than attackers.
Much of the discussion during Wednesday's hearing centered on allowing guns at public schools and on college campuses.
Jaggi and others said gun-free schools have not prevented mass school shootings around the country.
He noted that Utah, which has allowed concealed carry guns at schools for 15 years, hasn't had any mass school shootings.
Jillian Balow, the new state superintendent of public instruction, said schools are safer without guns, and she objected to forcing school districts to allow weapons.
"I just feel like this is a bit top-down, and we're asking 48 school districts to make decisions that they may not want to make or that they may not be ready to make," Balow said.
The University of Wyoming prohibits weapons on campus without approval from the UW police chief.
Chris Boswell, UW's vice president for government and community relations, said the UW faces special challenges because of the use of alcohol and drugs by students and the stresses of college life that can arise.
"The university works to minimize the chances that stresses and challenges, including disagreements and conflict, might escalate," Boswell said. "An enhanced presence of weapons on campus might further escalate such circumstances."
At the least, he said, weapons should be prohibited from campus residence halls and athletic events.
But Christina Giarusso, a UW sophomore, said she was a victim of an off-campus assault and she wants the ability to protect herself on campus.
Giarusso said campus police aren't able to respond until after something has happened.
Cory Schroeder, another UW student and a military veteran with extensive weapons training, said his request to carry a weapon on campus has been denied.
Asked by a committee member how he felt being denied a weapon on campus after fighting for his country, Schroeder said, "I guess surprised, but a little hurt as well."
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