Despite last semester’s alarming threat that sent fear through HBCU campuses, many institutions have tightened security and upheld strict zero‑tolerance policies for weapons. Now, a newly proposed Louisiana bill threatens to undo those efforts, potentially reducing the protections colleges and universities have fought to strengthen.
House Bill 99, introduced by Rep. Danny McCormick of Oil City, wishes to allow individuals 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm to carry guns on certain Louisiana’s colleges and university campuses. The proposal would extend to public institutions as well as private or independently operated post‑secondary schools that receive state funding. While the bill expands where firearms could be carried, it also outlines several restrictions: guns would remain prohibited inside disciplinary or administrative hearings, medical or mental‑health treatment centers operated by a university, and any location already restricted under federal law. Firearms would also be restricted from events with controlled access or security screenings. According to the bill’s stated intent, the measure aims “to affirm that the right to keep and bear arms… by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 11 of the Constitution of Louisiana.”
Students across Southern University expressed strong concerns about the proposal, many describing it as a direct threat to their sense of safety on campus. Joia Anthony, a junior majoring in management, called the idea “terrifying,” noting that the presence of more firearms could heighten anxiety rather than reduce danger. Emmy Mgimwa, a senior political science major, said she would feel more comfortable if only trained faculty, not students, were allowed to carry weapons. Kaleah Johnson, a junior finance major, worried about the broader implications for Black students, saying, “They want black men to kill each other. Anything can pop off, and anyone can have a hot head… I’m not here for that.” Soteria Gibbs, a senior biology major, described the bill as “immature,” adding that lawmakers “know what they’re doing.” Collectively, students agreed that seeing peers openly carrying guns would make them feel unsafe and distracted, especially in classroom settings.
Faculty members also raised concerns about how House Bill 99 could affect campus safety and the overall learning environment. Many emphasized that introducing additional firearms into academic spaces risks heightening tension and complicating existing safety protocols. The Office of Student Media attempted to obtain a statement from SUPD, but was unable to secure one. Still, the concerns expressed by faculty reflect a broader fear that the presence of guns among students could alter the atmosphere of classrooms, residence halls, and common areas in ways that undermine trust and focus.
As debate over House Bill 99 continues, students at Southern University remain firm in their belief that expanding firearm access on college campuses would undermine, not strengthen, their sense of security. Many worry that the presence of guns among peers could escalate conflicts, heighten fear in classrooms, and distract them from the learning environment they depend on and pay for. Their collective message is clear: safety, stability, and peace of mind are essential to their college experience, and any policy that threatens those foundations raises serious concerns for the campus community.
