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Senate keeps concealed‑weapons clarifications but rejects broader school ban substitute
Summary
Senators debated S.B. 108, a bill to clarify the concealed‑weapons statute and define dangerous weapons; a proposed substitute that would ban concealed firearms on school grounds with limited exceptions failed 6–23, and the original clarifying bill advanced 25–4.
Senator Waddups (floor sponsor) described S.B. 108 as a clarification of the 1996 concealed‑weapons law and said it was meant to resolve statutory conflicts and to spell out where police and other limited categories may carry firearms on school campuses. "This is not a bill to legalize concealed weapons or any other weapon in schools," the sponsor emphasized while explaining narrow clarifications the bill proposes.
On the floor, proponents and opponents sketched sharply different views. Senator Aaron and others urged a prohibition on permit holders carrying concealed guns in schools, comparing schools to other locations that forbid weapons. "We believe ... schools should be as safe as America's airports," one proponent quoted the NRA's position in urging a gun-free policy on campus.
Opponents warned the substitute would mostly disarm law‑abiding citizens while doing little to deter criminals. "This is a bill that punishes the good guys," said Senator Butters, arguing the substitute would not prevent bad actors and would deprive trained citizens of protections.
The Senate voted on the substitute and rejected it (6 ayes, 23 noes). Returning to the sponsor's original clarifying bill, the body approved S.B. 108 with a recorded vote of 25 yea to 4 nay and sent it to the third-reading calendar.
What changed: The failed substitute would have created a clear statutory bar against concealed weapons on school grounds with enumerated exceptions; the main bill instead clarifies existing exemptions and directs public notice options (including filing notices with the Bureau of Criminal Identification for places of worship).
Next step: S.B. 108 advanced to the third‑reading calendar for further action in a subsequent day.
