Debate sparked by endorsement from Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition
Whether or not concealed weapons should be allowed on the CU campus has become an issue in the race for the regent-at-large seat in the November elections.
On Sep. 11, Steve Ludwig, the Democratic candidate, posted an official release on his Web site that called for Brian Davidson, the Republican candidate, to renounce an endorsement by the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition (PPFC).
“Clearly one of the goals of the PPFC is to allow concealed weapons onto school grounds and that includes CU,” Ludwig said in his release.
The release also says that part of the reason Davidson received the endorsement by PPFC is that he believes concealed weapons are OK on school grounds.
In response to a question posed by members of PPFC as to whether or not Davidson supported limiting persons that have permits to carry concealed weapons from carrying them on school grounds, the candidate said that a person should have the right to carry a weapon regardless of place or situation.
Davidson said he regrets that his comments were too vague.
“I have no intention of challenging the decision or changing the policy,” Davidson said.
Davidson is referring to Policy 14-I, constructed by the CU Board of Regents. It states, “Possession of firearms, explosives or other dangerous weapons is permitted for peace officers or for others who have written permission from the Chief of Police.”
Organizations, such as PPFC, say that this policy contradicts the Colorado Revised Statute 18-12-105.5 (d), which declares that it is legal for a person carrying a valid written permit to carry a concealed weapon in school, college or on university grounds.
Lt. Tim McGraw of the CU Campus Police cited a formal decision by former Attorney General Ken Salazar in 2003, which cleared up the discrepancy between the regent policy and the state law.
Salazar’s formal opinion No. 03-03 concludes that the Colorado constitution and statutes authorize the Regents to govern the CU’s internal affairs to include their specific policy on banning concealed weapons. As it stands, the policy does not allow for concealed weapons on the CU campus.
The only way the Regent policy can be changed is by a majority vote, which needs five of the nine regents to agree.
Information on the candidates can be found on their Web sites: Ludwig at www.voteludwig.com and Davidson at www.davidsonforcuregent.com.
