FVCC students react to new law allowing concealed firearms on campus

Flathead Valley Community College officials aren’t weighing in yet about the state’s new law that allows students to carry concealed firearms on campus until policies are further established by the Montana Board of Regents.

“The Montana Board of Regents will develop policies for campuses under their supervision. This includes Montana's three community colleges,” FVCC President Jane Karas told the Inter Lake.

FVCC students, however, have plenty to say about House Bill 103, which allows people to carry a concealed firearm almost anywhere in the state, and with a permit in state and local government buildings.

Local students’ reactions to the new law are mixed. While many recognize the importance of Second Amendment rights and self defense, they also expressed concerns with the collective comfort level on campus and increased accessibility to firearms for those with none or limited training.

Marie Gibson, a student in FVCC’s firearms technologies program, said she is confident students like those in her program who are familiar with firearms will carry them responsibly, but she’s less certain about extending that same freedom to students who aren’t knowledgeable about guns.

“There are some parts that I'm hesitant about because I don't want just anybody to have that kind of access. I don't know what kind of weirdos are all over campus,” Gibson said.

Gibson said she chooses to carry a firearm when not on campus and would consider doing so for her personal safety and those around her.

“I would feel more protected knowing if somebody was going to cause problems and wanted to hurt people, everybody in this classroom would go and do something about it,” Gibson said. “Say somebody comes in intending to cause harm with their firearm, they would more easily be stopped by someone else with a firearm. It’s really sad we have to think about this, but that’s unfortunately our reality.”

FVCC liberal arts student Debb Westlund doesn’t feel firearms have a place on campus.

“I hunt; I shot my first gun when I was 4 years old. I do believe in the right to have guns, but I do believe there is etiquette to everything. You don't bring guns into an education situation. You don't bring guns into a place where half the people are going to be uncomfortable about it,” Westlund said. “As much as I believe in freedom and gun rights, I think that’s going too far.”

Fellow student Mackenzie Nolan, a future National Guardsman, pointed out multiple sides to the issue.

“I do believe in Second Amendment rights, but at what point do we need kids carrying guns?” Nolan asked. “And not just kids — faculty and staff. Just thinking about walking around a campus with armed students is not a fun thought to entertain.

“On the other side, how do you stop a bad guy with a gun?” Nolan pointed out. “You run or you hide or you fight — and the best way to stop somebody with a gun would probably be with one of your own.”

His feelings are clear when it comes to gun safety. He believes students who do choose to carry should be required to take a firearms safety course.

“There are so many ways that that can go wrong. People can go purchase a firearm and carry it around willy nilly and maybe do it at some sort of power or fashion statement. I think that's just ridiculous,” Nolan said.

“When you're carrying a gun, you have a kind of power and just like in ‘Spiderman’ — with great power comes great responsibility. I think there should be an emphasis on the responsibility of how to act and what to do if carrying a gun is something that you choose to do,” Nolan added.

SIGNED INTO law last Thursday by Gov. Greg Gianforte, the bill ushers in a wave of change for Montana’s university system. Section 6 of the bill specifically prohibits the Montana Board of Regents, which oversees the 16 colleges in Montana’s university system, from issuing policies that would interfere with firearm possession on campus, apart from imposing safety requirements such as mandating a safety course, preventing the removal of guns from their holsters unless done in self defense or requiring locked storage on firearms, among other measures.

Firearm possession also may be forbidden at events where alcohol is consumed and at athletic or entertainment events that are open to the public with armed security forces on site.

Essentially, universities can manage how students carry on campus, but cannot prevent them from doing so outright unless that person has a discipline history arising from substance abuse or interpersonal violence. Prior to Feb. 18, the state Board of Regents had forbidden all firearms on campus.

While the bulk of HB 102 went into effect Feb. 18 when it was signed into law, Section 6 won’t take effect until June 1, giving the Board of Regents time to review existing university firearm policies.

Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education Kevin McRae said Thursday the board is scheduled to discuss concealed carry on college campuses during its May 26 meeting and is expected to update university firearms policy at that time.

“We have concerns about everyone having a clear understanding of campus firearms policy and law. For the rest of this current spring semester, only police officers are allowed to carry firearms on campus,” McRae wrote in an email. “The new law fortunately gives us time to be thoughtful and put reasonable policy into place.

“The law also continues to restrict firearms carry at public events on campuses that have controlled access and armed police security on site,” McRae said. “Lastly, the law allows us to require proof of firearms training, the same type of training that in the past has been necessary to obtain concealed carry permits.”

The public may submit comments to the Board of Regents by email at OCHE@montana.edu

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss can be reached at mreiss@dailyinterlake.com or (406) 758-4433.