Campus Carry

Open Carry

On January 1, 2016, open carry of handguns for those who have a license went into effect. This means that these license holders will be able to carry a handgun in a holster where it is viable to everyone.

How does this affect Cisco College?
The short answer is, it doesn't. The law prohibits the open carry of firearms on college campuses. This includes all property such as parking lots.

Campus Carry

August 1, 2016 was the effective date for concealed carry on four-year universities. Although a license holder might be able to carry a concealed handgun at a university, one cannot carry on a community college until the effect date listed below.

August 1, 2017 was the effective date for Concealed Campus Carry on two-year public colleges. Under the new Campus Carry Law, Cisco College has established reasonable rules, regulations and other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on its campuses. Under the law, Cisco College may not create provisions that generally prohibit license holders from carrying concealed handguns on either campus.

In keeping with the law, Cisco College will consult with students, staff and faculty regarding special considerations for the student populations on each campus and the uniqueness each campus environment to develop the most appropriate and fair rules under the new law.

Cisco College Conceal Carry Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I do if I see someone with a gun and feel threatened?

  In the event of this type of situation, 911 should be called from either campus to report the situation.

• What is campus carry?

  “Campus carry” refers to Texas Senate Bill 11 (84R Texas Legislature), which allows individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) a concealed handgun to carry the concealed handgun on college campuses in Texas.

• When will campus carry take effect for public community colleges in Texas?

  Campus carry takes effect August 1, 2017 for community college campuses. The law was effective August 1, 2016 for public universities and private and independent institutions of higher education have the option to opt out of the law entirely.

• Does the law allow public community colleges to implement policies regarding campus carry?

  Yes. The law allows institutions of higher education to adopt policies that prohibit license holders from carrying concealed handguns in some areas of the campus and to certain college sponsored events providing the restrictions do not have the effect of generally preventing a license holder from carrying a concealed handgun on campus.

• Is Texas the only state that has campus carry laws for concealed handguns on college campuses?

  No. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is one of eight states, joining Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, and Wisconsin.

• Is there a difference between concealed carry and open carry?

  Yes. A person must receive a license from the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to lawfully carry a concealed handgun. The handgun must be carried on or about the license holder’s body at all times and the handgun cannot be openly visible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person.

  Open carry means the individual does not have to conceal the handgun from view as it is “open” for the public to see. Carrying a rifle in public provided it is not done in a manner to alarm, does not require a license. Open carry of handguns requires a state issued License to Carry. Texas House bill 910 – known as “open carry” – became law on January 1, 2016.

  Open carry is prohibited on the campuses of all Texas public colleges and universities.

• Is “open carry” allowed on public college campuses?

  No. No type of firearm can be carried openly on a college campus except by law enforcement officers. Even individuals who are licensed to carry a concealed handgun must keep the firearm out of view when carrying the handgun on campus, including buildings, public driveways, streets, sidewalks, walkways, parking lots etc.

• Where will concealed handguns be allowed at all Cisco College locations and property under the new campus carry law?

  A license holder may carry a concealed handgun while on the campus premises, which includes college buildings and public driveways, streets, sidewalks, or walkways, and parking areas on campus. Concealed handguns also can be carried in College passenger transportation vehicles unless prohibited by state or federal law or by the Cisco College policy. License holders are responsible for knowing where concealed handguns may not be carried even where notice is not required to be posted.

• Where will concealed handguns be prohibited at Cisco College under the new campus carry law?

  Signs are posted in all areas where handguns are prohibited on campus.

• How will I know areas on campus where concealed handguns are not allowed?

  Colleges must post a sign at all places and events where the policies prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns. However, state law does not require colleges to post signs at places and activities where concealed handguns are prohibited by laws other than Cisco College policy, such as places of worship and where a college building is used as a polling place for a state of federal election. License holders are responsible for knowing where state and federal law prohibit them from carrying a concealed handgun.

• Are handguns the only type of firearm to which campus carry applies?

  Yes. Senate Bill 11 makes it legal for licensed holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, but not rifles and other firearms.

• Can individual faculty or staff members post signage that prohibits concealed handguns in their offices or classrooms?

  No. All places where concealed carry is prohibited on campus are listed in the Cisco College policy.

• Who can get a license to carry a concealed handgun?

  In general, legal residents of the state of Texas who are at least 21 years of age, pass a criminal background check and receive classroom and shooting range instruction can receive a license to carry. Texas requires that applicants not have certain criminal convictions and histories of substance abuse or certain mental disorders. Texas also bans anyone who is delinquent on their taxes or child support payments from getting a license.

Further Updates

Any other questions regarding the new carry laws can be addressed to the Cisco College Campus Safety Police Department at (254) 442-5034.