[NC_Skins]

Email we received from the Chancellor today:

To the ECU Community:

I want to make you aware of a bill moving through the N.C. General Assembly that could have a direct and negative impact to the safety of our campus. I feel the need to state publicly my opposition to certain provisions included in House Bill 937 that would allow concealed-carry permit holders to keep their weapons in locked vehicles on college campuses.

Supporters of this bill say it will make our campuses safer. I don’t believe that to be true. In fact, it has the potential to create dangerous situations for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. For example, if an incident occurs on our campus, law enforcement arriving on the scene must be able to quickly distinguish suspects from bystanders. Allowing weapons on campus could hamper their ability to make split-second decisions while assessing the situation. The consequences could be tragic.

It is our obligation to provide a safe environment at ECU. And I believe the best approach is by relying on the expertise of our accredited police department. I share the concerns expressed by President Tom Ross, my fellow chancellors, and our campus police officers that this proposed change would create increased risk on our campuses. I encourage the General Assembly to reconsider the provision allowing weapons onto our campus.

Steve Ballard, Chancellor


The following is a link to House Bill 937:
North Carolina General Assembly - House Bill 937 Information/History (2013-2014 Session)

I on the other hand do not think it will increase risk on the campus.