The President of the University of Alaska has concerns with a bill to override the ban of firearms at UAA campuses.
SB 176 was requested by UAA political science student Hans Rodvik, an intern for North Pole Senator John Coghill.
Rodvik told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday that the bill would forbid the university from having firearms regulations that are more strict than state policy.
Rodvik: “Senate Bill 176 was generated by grassroots efforts by concerned students that understand individual liberty, the US and Alaska Constitutions, Alaska statute and the rule of law.”
The committee also heard from University President Pat Gamble, who said the ban on firearms for K-12 schools should apply to the university because children visit the campuses.
Gamble: “We’ve got kids all year long, the same kids that we’re protecting and exempting, in one case coming all through our system. So I’m going to make the assumption that with this legislation, that somehow we are going to be responsible for making sure those kids are protected. That begins to be a real problem.”
He said he cannot guarantee the safety of children without a ban on firearms, the bill is still in committee hearings.
