UT Martin prepares for guns on campus law to take effect

MARTIN, Tenn. — One week from Friday some employees will legally be able to carry guns on campuses at Tennessee’s public colleges and universities.

Starting July 1 some full-time faculty and staff at the University of Tennessee at Martin will be able to carry guns on campus. “They will be required to show their valid handgun carry permit,” UT Martin Director of Public Safety Scott Robbins said.

Robbins said employees wanting to carry a gun must first register with his office. “It’s a quick process,” he said. “Should take less than five minutes.”

There are restrictions. Robbins said guns are not allowed on certain parts of campus. “The two places where you can never carry on campus will be the childcare center and the student health center,” he said.

The university said guns are also off limits at gyms, stadiums, and meetings involving disciplinary issues or tenure.

“I don’t ever even want to imagine myself put in that situation, but at least I know my teachers are ready for that situation,” Joe Nelson, a senior, said.

Nelson said he feels safer knowing faculty and staff will be armed. “There’s more crime coming up,” he said. “It’s not like the old days where things were just calm.”

Robbins said carriers will remain confidential. “The only people that’ll know who’s carrying will be the law enforcement officers on campus,” he said.

Robbins said violators could end up in trouble with the law and the university.

Jackson State Community College released this statement Friday:

“The administration of Jackson State Community College has been working through the development of policies that will guide the implementation of the new concealed weapons legislation on the JSCC campus. The policy was approved by TBR earlier today and is in full compliance with the law. The policy will be distributed to the campus and be made public beginning Monday, June 27. Full-time faculty and staff that are eligible to register for the concealed weapon privilege will be able to do so beginning July 1 when the law goes into effect. It is the hope of administration that the implementation of this new law will add to the safety and security of the students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the JSCC campuses.”

The University of Memphis said it plans to release more information Monday.