Texas Preps Bill for Guns on College Campuses

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas is preparing to give college students and professors the right to carry guns on campus, adding momentum to a national campaign to open this part of society to firearms.

More than half of the members of the Texas House are co-authors of a measure directing universities to allow concealed handguns. The Senate passed a similar bill in 2009 and is expected to do so again.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who sometimes packs a pistol when he jogs, says he supports the idea.

Texas is one of about a dozen states considering the idea and has become a prime battleground because of its gun culture and size. It would become the second state, following Utah, to pass such a broad-based law. Colorado gives colleges the option, and several allow handguns.