Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers introduces bill to legalize concealed carry at universities

Photo courtesy Arizona Capitol Television

By Robert Gundran

January 3, 2025

SB 1020 would make it illegal for Arizona’s public universities and colleges to prohibit concealed carry weapons on campus.

The Arizona State Legislature’s session doesn’t start until Jan. 13, but members of the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives are able to submit bills before the session starts.

Since Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs took office in 2023, Arizona Republicans have submitted dozens of bills that were extremely unlikely to get her signature to become law. Those bills will have a much easier time getting to Gov. Hobbs’ desk the next two years since Republicans expanded their majorities in both the state House and Senate, but are just as likely to be vetoed.

SB 1020, introduced by Sen. Wendy Rogers, would make it illegal for public universities and colleges to prohibit concealed carry weapons on campus. That means anyone with a concealed carry permit could carry a firearm at ASU or the University of Arizona, among other schools.

Rogers introduced a similar bill last year, but the House adjourned without bringing it to a vote.

As of January 2025, the Arizona Board of Regents’ policy is that possession or storage of any weapon on a university campus is prohibited, with limited exceptions.

One exception at ASU is law enforcement. Students, staff, and visitors can also store a firearm in their vehicle, so long as that firearm isn’t visible from outside the vehicle.

Hobbs vetoed multiple bills that would have loosened gun restrictions during her time in office, and is likely to veto SB 1020 as well if it passes in the Arizona House and Senate.

Author

Robert Gundran

Robert Gundran grew up in the Southwest, spending equal time in the Valley and Southern California throughout his life. He graduated from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in 2018 and wrote for The Arizona Republic and The Orange County Register.

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CATEGORIES: STATE LEGISLATURE

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