Campus Carry

On June 1, 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed in to law Senate Bill 11 (S.B. 11), also known as the "Campus Carry" law.  S.B. 11, which is codified in section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code, this authorizes a handgun license holder to carry a concealed handgun on the campus of an institution of higher education.

After consulting with students, staff, and faculty through open forums regarding the nature of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus environment, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi adopted rules approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents addressing:

• Carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on campus premises.
• Areas where handguns are prohibited.

• “Campus” means all land and buildings owned or leased by the University.
• The University may establish reasonable rules and provisions as long as they do not have the effect of generally prohibiting license holders from carrying concealed handguns on campus.
  • Each restricted area must be identified and justified.
  • Broad restrictions (all classrooms, all buildings, etc.) are not allowed.
  • Signage must be provided for each restricted area as outlined in Texas' Penal Code Section 30.06.
• Once this rule is established, the campus space management committee will annually review it and propose changes as necessary to the university president.
• The law does NOT allow Open Carry or Constitutional Carry on campus.
• A person must have a license to carry a concealed handgun on campus.
• One must be 21 years old to obtain a License to Carry (LTC).
• LTC holders must complete classroom training, pass a written exam, and pass a proficiency (shooting) demonstration.
• The handgun cannot be visible or discernable through ordinary observation.
• HL holders are subject to criminal charges for carrying a handgun in plain view.
• One must meet federal qualifications to purchase a handgun.

• Islander Housing residents who are Licensed to carry holders must follow all state and federal laws concerning owning and possessing a handgun on campus. Any resident who is licensed to carry a handgun and chooses to bring the handgun into their room/apartment must store his or her handgun and ammunition in an electronic locking steel safe that has been rented or purchased from Islander Housing. For information regarding safe rentals/purchases, visit https://www.collegeproducts.com/store/tamucc/.

Individuals holding a valid Texas license to carry (LTC) will be allowed to carry their handgun, concealed on their person, on the campus. A concealed handgun is a weapon which is not openly discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person.

No, Senate Bill 11 addresses only concealed handgun carry on college campuses and does NOT allow open carry. Thus, under Texas law, it will continue to be illegal to display a firearm inside campus buildings or on campus streets, parking lots, sidewalks, walkways, etc.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi appointed a campus carry task force comprised of TAMU-CC students, faculty members, staff members and administrators in fall 2015 to develop recommendations to implement campus carry at TAMU-CC. The task force was led by the Vice President for Student Engagement and Success, and the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration.

No. Texas statute identifies seven categories of venues where concealed carry is prohibited. Additionally, a list of locations at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where handguns are prohibited can be found at http://campuscarry.tamucc.edu/ under the “Campus Carry Rule for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi” link.

Areas on campus that are “off limits” for concealed carry will be clearly marked with signage, in accordance with Texas Penal Code section 30.06.

No. In accordance with SB 11, only the University President, by policy, can designate areas as exclusion zones. University community members cannot designate their own exclusion zones. The University does not authorize any member of the University community to post their own signs or notices or individually choose an area to post signs or notices. 

The enforcement occurs in two ways. First, the University Police Department will investigate and take appropriate action, including referral for criminal prosecution when violations occur. Second, the University will consider any violation of state law regulating firearms to be a violation of the University rules. Accordingly, such a violation is subject to disciplinary action under rules applicable to students, staff, and faculty.

If you see a handgun on campus, it should be reported to the University Police Department so it can be documented and properly investigated. You can reach the University Police Department at 361.825.4242 (for general calls) or 361.825.4444 (for emergencies).

Yes. Anyone may ask, but the individual asked is not required to reply unless asked by a police officer.

In adherence to the Clery Act, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi posts annual security reports on the University Police Department website at http://police.tamucc.edu/.

Visit the website http://campuscarry.tamucc.edu/.