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DAYTON — Nine states including Ohio are considering legislation to permit gun owners to bring their legally concealed weapons onto college campuses.

Six states recently considered similar legislation, but the measures failed.

State Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, is the sponsor of House Bill 225 that would allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns in colleges and universities, places of worship, child day-care centers and family day-care homes and buildings owned and leased by state and local governments.

The bill appears stalled after one hearing before the House Criminal Justice Committee, but Adams said he may ask for another hearing. He also held out the possibility that he could propose it as an amendment to another bill.

Adams' bill also would remove other restrictions now in the concealed carry law. He said he did not get the idea to allow concealed weapons on campuses from student groups but supports their effort.

Committee Chairman John White, R-Kettering, who voted for the original concealed carry bill, said he likes the current law as is.

Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina, has introduced Senate Bill 318, which would permit taking concealed weapons onto college and university campuses, places of worship, day-care centers and government buildings if they are unloaded and in a closed package, box or case.

Only Utah explicitly permits concealed handguns on all public campuses. Other states either include campuses as prohibited locations or leave the decision up to the schools.

Students for Concealed Carry on Campus doesn't think Faber's proposal goes far enough.

"It's a start, but it's not a good compromise," said Stephen Feltoon, 22, the group's Midwest regional director. "That would make a gun just an expensive club."

Feltoon said the push for concealed-carry permits goes beyond campus shootings to other crimes, including rape and assault.

Senate Bill 184, the so-called "castle doctrine" bill, would strengthen the use of self-defense if a resident uses force to defend against a trespasser in his or her home. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for 10 a.m. today, April 16, before the Senate Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee.

Faber said college dorm rooms would qualify as a residence under that bill. But while a dorm resident might be able to claim self-defense under that proposed legislation, the student would still be in violation of existing concealed-carry law that prohibits firearms on campus.

The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators is against expansion of concealed carry on campuses.

Miami University Police Chief John McCandless said, "It's not that student concealed-carry permit holders are irresponsible." But they are under stress and strain and at 21 years old — the legal age to carry a concealed gun — students may respond to incidences such as drunken arguments "a lot differently" with access to a handgun, McCandless said.

Toby Hoover, executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, said she is opposed to allowing concealed weapons on campuses.

The coalition will participate today in the national protest against "the easy availability of guns" at 80 college campuses, including Ohio State University, as part of Victim Rights Week, Hoover said. Students should not have to worry whether "the guys in the next dormitory room have guns," Hoover said.

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