Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill in June called the “campus carry” which permits licensed people to handle concealed handguns on college campuses. Private colleges can opt out of the decision and community colleges won’t be permitting handguns until 2017.

“It’s just a preventive measure,” senior Nick Sanchez said. “With all the recent violence in schools, I think that having people being able to defend themselves will make the shooter rethink their decision.”

College-bound seniors hoping to study at a local university will be affected by the passing of the bill. Seniors will enter college with the knowledge that at least one of their classmates could be carrying a weapon in their bag.

“I’m not sure how to react,” senior Briana Hunter said. “On one hand I support the policy idea, but on the other I am worried of the easier access to guns on campuses.”

Seniors who support the campus carry bill said that for safety purposes they are thrilled the legislature has taken a step forward to take preventive measures against the recent school shootings.

“I have hopes that the policy will work,” Sanchez said. “We won’t have to worry about being vulnerable in situations like this because we have the tools to fight back.”

Students against the passing of the bill have concerns about their safety. Some of them may  reconsider whether staying local is the choice for them.

“Even if people have licensed guns, there are still flaws in the system,” senior Maddie White said. “I hadn’t heard of the passing of the bill; however, if it was more out there I bet a lot of students would reconsider their choices.”

The passing of the campus carry bill is a response to the recent shootings at college campuses across the nation. The bill might influence incoming students to choose a college outside of Texas but leave those who support the bill. Whether the bill will act as a preventive measure to stop further shootings on campus grounds or will lead to more safety issues remains unanswered.

“It’s a very debatable topic,” Hunter said. “I’m torn between being able to have the opportunity to protect myself versus worrying what other students are carrying them for.”