Texas Lawmakers Allow College Students to Carry Handguns on Campus

"Finally our students will be protected, our professors will be protected and law abiding citizens will be protected," State Representative Giovanni Capriglione was quoted as saying by the Star-Telegram newspaper.

Texas House members gave the legislation tentative approval shortly before midnight on Tuesday, with the final approval still expected from the House of Representatives before heading to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott.

Only those over 21 will be allowed to carry concealed handguns and they must obtain a license.

According to the newspaper, the implementation of the bill could entail a $50-million expenditure needed for additional officers, training, storage facilities and security technology related to the legislation.

In Texas, local legislation allows a citizen to carry firearms. Texas residents are allowed to carry concealed handguns after obtaining a license from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The ubiquitous popularity of firearms in the United States is known to have led to many school and college shootings, some carried out by underage students.

Also in March, University of Houston Executive Director of Media Relations and Digital Programming Richard Bonnin said his school was opposed to the new legislation.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported last year that in the United States 11,622 people were killed and 59,077 were wounded in intentional acts of gun violence in 2012.