The California State Assembly passed a bill Wednesday prohibiting the legal carry of concealed weapons on school campuses.
Senate Bill-707 would outlaw permitted concealed weapons carriers from bringing firearms onto school campuses without prior permission from campus authorities.
“Many would be surprised, as I was, to learn that California law currently allows concealed firearms on any campus, even on an elementary school campus,” said California State Sen. Lois Wolk in a press release.
Wolk, who authored the bill to help control concealed weapons on school and college campuses, said that passing SB-707 would place the control of firearms on school campuses back in the hands of the proper officials.
Honorably retired law enforcement and authorized reserve officers will be exempt from the restrictions of SB-707, according to the bill.
Lieutenant Richard Goodwin of the University Police said that SB-707 will only “further define the limitations” of weapons on the California State University, Long Beach campus.
“Off the top of my head, I would say [concealed weapons carriers are not viewed as potential shooters] merely based upon my observation,” Goodwin said.
Brandon Combs, president of lobbyist group Firearms Policy Coalition said in a letter of opposition that SB-707 would not actually prevent crimes like school shootings and only cost taxpayers if passed.
“At best, SB-707 offers nothing more than another ‘add-on’ crime,” Combs said in the statement. “Far more likely, however, is that SB-707 will make criminals out of good, law-abiding Californians who have no intention of breaking a law or causing anyone harm.”
“I agree with the legislation,” said Brad Thomas, a graduate student for physical therapy at CSULB. “[I’m] not super concerned, mainly because other schools within immediate areas [haven’t] had gun violence.”
Goodwin said that obtaining a concealed carry permit for a firearm takes an immense amount of time and effort along with really narrow approval requirements.
Carry Concealed Weapon licenses can only be obtained through a resident’s county sheriff’s office with all fees paid by the applicant.
In Long Beach, people hoping to obtain a concealed carry permit are required to schedule an appointment with the office of the chief of police to be reviewed for residency requirements, good moral character, cause and age, according to the application instructions.
Those who meet all requirements must also be fingerprinted and fulfill a required firearms training class.
SB-707 was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk for review last week after state legislators approved the bill in a bi-partisan vote, and it is now awaiting approval.