What is the “Campus Carry” law?

Subject to the exceptions described below, Texas law generally prohibits people from intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possessing or “going with” a firearm on the premises of a school or educational institution, including both public and private K-12 schools and institutions of higher education (colleges and universities), unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization from that school or institution. See Texas Penal Code § 46.03(a).

This restriction also generally applies to the grounds or building where an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted or in a school or educational institution’s passenger transportation vehicle (such as a school bus), unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization from the institution. See Texas Penal Code § 46.03(a) and Texas Education Code § 37.125(a) (regarding exhibiting, using, or threatening to exhibit or use a firearm in a school bus in a manner intended to alarm or to damage property).

State law also generally prohibits people from carrying firearms on premises where a high school or collegiate sporting event or interscholastic event occurs (unless the person is a participant in an event requiring firearms). See Texas Penal Code § 46.03(a)(8).

People with concealed carry licenses may keep firearms or ammunition in a locked, privately owned, or leased motor vehicle in K-12 school parking areas provided the firearm or ammunition is not in plain view. See Texas Education Code § 37.0815 (as amended by 2017 TX Senate Bill 1566, Section 13.

Though Texas passed legislation in 2021 that generally authorizes members of the public to carry concealed or holstered handguns in most public spaces without a handgun license, people without these licenses are generally not permitted to carry them on college or university campuses or K-12 schools either.

What is Xavier Academy’s current firearms policy?

Xavier Academy’s current firearms policy states: As it is on all of campus, the possession of firearms, knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches, other weapons, ammunition, explosives, or fireworks on campus, including campus, is prohibited.

How will visitors to campus know the “Campus Carry” policy?

S.B. 11 requires appropriate signage in English and Spanish announcing the Campus Carry policy at each entrance point on campus, including parking lots, buildings, and public streets. As required by law, signage must include the following message:

“Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun.”