Armed Campus Police (H 5279, H 6005)

In April, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee on perennial legislation to mandate the carrying of guns by campus police officers.  The ACLU testified that, despite well-known tragic events, gun violence remains rare on college campuses, while the introduction of weapons results in an increased frequency of accidental discharges that put student safety at risk.  In May, as part of an effort to stave off passage of any such legislation, the Rhode Island Board of Education voted to allow colleges and universities to arm their police officers if they choose, and the bill died.