Bill to allow Tasers at Ariz. colleges advances
Measure is latest battle over weapons on campus
A bill that would allow non-lethal weapons, such as Tasers and stun guns, on college campuses in Arizona is just one major step away from Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk.
House Bill 2172 passed the Senate Education Committee on Thursday after a vigorous debate over whether such a decision should rest with lawmakers or be left to college governing boards.
The legislation has plenty of opposition and plenty of support. Supporters say students, faculty and staff have the right to protect themselves if their safety is threatened. Opponents say colleges should continue to set their own safety policies.
HB 2172 is opposed by the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the three state universities, as well as student leaders at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.
The bill has the backing of Taser International and various law-enforcement groups, such as the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and the Arizona Citizens Defense League, a grassroots group that protects gun rights.
Here’s what HB 2172 would do if it became law.
The topic of weapons on college campuses has historically been a divisive issue. Arizona colleges now set their own policies regarding weapons on campus.
“This gives good people the right to defend themselves against bad people.” Rep. Travis Grantham R-Gilbert, sponsor of House Bill 2172
The regents prohibit guns and other weapons, such as swords, knives with blades 5 inches or longer, martial-arts weapons and bows and arrows, on the campuses of ASU, NAU and the UA.
After HB 2172 was introduced earlier this year, the regents clarified that their policy allows people to carry chemical repellents, such as Mace and pepper spray.
Tasers and stun guns aren’t allowed, however.
While guns aren’t allowed on campus, under state law, a person can store a firearm in a locked vehicle — as long as the weapon is not visible from the outside.
What would change
Community colleges and state universities wouldn’t be able to prohibit Tasers, stun guns and other “non-lethal weapons” if the bill became law.
Non-lethal weapons are defined in the legislation as something that is “explicitly designed and developed to incapacitate or repel a person with a low probability of fatality or permanent injury.”
The Senate Education Committee added an amendment to the bill to clarify that non-lethal weapons also must be those that are designed and marketed for personal-protection consumer use and non-explosive.
Why is the issue so controversial?
Supporters say that because people are allowed to carry Tasers and stun guns for personal protection, those rights should extend to college campuses as well.
“This gives good people the right to defend themselves against bad people,” said Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, the bill’s sponsor, during the Senate Education Committee meeting.
He cited statistics by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network that report 11 percent of college students are raped or sexually assaulted.
Grantham said his legislation is simple and straightforward. It allows people to carry personal-protection devices in a purse, pocket or backpack as they walk around college campuses.
He said there has been confusion about the bill, which is why he asked for an amendment this week to clarify what he means by “non-lethal weapons.” The bill doesn’t permit flash grenades or explosive devices, he said.
But university officials said they want the flexibility to continue to set their own policies. And they said the current definition of “non-lethal weapons” in the bill is too broad.
UA Police Chief Brian Seastone testified Thursday that most crimes that occur on campuses are committed by people who know each other, not strangers. He said he’s not opposed to people being able to protect themselves while on campus, but enacting a law would reduce the university’s flexibility in changing its policies.
“I don’t think a legislative action is necessary,” he said. “I think an administrative policy that meets the continuing needs of our community can be enacted quickly.”
The regents tweeted a series of photos last month that illustrated the variety of non-lethal weapons that could potentially be carried on college campuses under the legislation.
The photos showed a pepper-ball gun, a flash grenade and and an explosive munition device that sends out balls at high speeds.
Grantham pointed out on Thursday that the amendments add specificity; university officials still believe the language on what constitutes a “non-lethal weapon” is too broad.
Opponents also raised concerns that by allowing stun guns on campus, the universities are opening themselves up to students possibly using them aggressively against each other, rather than defensively.
What’s the bill’s status?
House Bill 2172 passed the House in February and still needs approval from the full Senate.
If the Senate approves, the legislation will also have to go back again to the House for approval because an amendment was added. That is likely not an obstacle for final passage. The bill then would head to the governor’s desk to be either signed into law or vetoed.