SB 982

Current law prohibits a person from carrying a firearm in a building owned or

leased by the state or a political subdivision of the state. A person who violates the

prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The prohibition does not apply to a

person who has a license to carry a concealed weapon. Current law allows a

university or college to post notice on a building to prevent a person from entering

it while carrying a firearm. A person, including a licensee, who carries a firearm into

a posted building is guilty of trespassing and is subject to a Class B forfeiture, which

is a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000.

This bill eliminates the trespassing provision and prohibits a person from

possessing a firearm in a publicly or privately owned building on a university or

college campus or on the grounds of or land owned or occupied by a university or

college. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

The prohibition does not apply to a law enforcement officer or military personnel in

the line of duty, a person who leases residential space (not including a dormitory or

part of a residence hall) or business space on the campus if the person is in the space,

a participant who possesses the firearm for use in a program approved by the

university or college, a person who possesses the firearm in accordance with a

contract entered into between the university or college and the person or his or her

employer, or a person who possesses a firearm that is unloaded and encased.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report.