SB 176-REG. OF FIREARMS/KNIVES BY UNIVERSITY  2:19:51 PM CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SB 176. "An Act relating to the regulation of firearms and knives by the University of Alaska." He invited public testimony. 2:20:21 PM JARMYN KRAMLICH President, UAS Student Body Government, Juneau, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 176. He reported that students at the Juneau campus feel that SB 176 will have unintended consequences that will interfere with the main purpose of the University of Alaska. Students voiced concern for their safety and that the Board of Regents would not be able enact policies in the best interest of students. 2:22:53 PM JESSICA DOMINY, Vice-President, UAS Student Government, Juneau, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 176. She shared that fellow students from rural areas are very comfortable around firearms, but don't understand why they should be on the college campus. She questioned what accommodations would be made for high school and elementary students who are frequently on campus. She urged the committee not to pass the legislation. SENATOR DYSON said our form of government provides that rights should only be restricted if there is a compelling public reason. He questioned whether there is a compelling reason in this instance and then if it extends to first amendment and fourth amendment rights. He further questioned whether feelings should govern the restriction of rights, particularly freedom of speech. MR. KRAMLICH replied that the issue is that students don't feel concealed weapons have any place in the classroom. 2:29:04 PM RUSSELL KELL, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 176. He said people are safest when they can defend themselves. He questioned why millions of dollars should be spent on an institution that ignores rights. 2:31:00 PM MIKE COONS, representing himself, Palmer, Alaska, said he opposes the committee substitute because it is an attempt to placate the Board of Regents that is abrogating rights. He recommended passing the original bill. 2:33:55 PM ROBERT CLIFT, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 176. He pointed out that students are already around people on campus who are armed. If the university knows, they just ask the person to leave. He said the administration enforces its policy when it sees fit and ignores it when it doesn't. 2:36:29 PM MICHAEL CHAMBERS, Chair, Alaska Libertarian Party, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 176. He maintained that the right to bear arms is a fundamental right. 2:37:29 PM BARBARA J. STRUBLE, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, asked the committee to pass SB 176 in its original form. She concurred with the four previous speakers. 2:38:28 PM MARK FISH, representing himself, Big Lake, Alaska, asked the committee to pass the original version of SB 176. He said it is a public university on public land and individual rights ought to be respected. If the university doesn't provide for the students, they ought to be able to provide for themselves. CHAIR COGHILL closed public testimony. He removed his objection and Version Y was adopted. He explained that there has to be a compelling reason to restrict a right. Requiring a permit may be restrictive, but it may be the least restrictive option. He asked his staff to comment. 2:42:31 PM HANS RODVIK, Intern, Senator John Coghill, responded to some of the concerns that have been raised in testimony on SB 176. He said a large concern is there are K-12 students on campus. These students are already surrounded by adults who conceal carry statewide. Following the university's logic, the state should prohibit concealed carry everywhere the students happen to be. Another concern is that the university would be defenseless to defend the campus. This is incorrect because all laws would still stand. The bill simply says that people would be able to defend themselves. He maintained that the bill codifies current practice because students and others are already exercising their fundamental rights. He said the idea that the policy distracts from the learning environment argument is faulty because the public is already around people who conceal carry. He turned to the argument about the presence of drugs and alcohol on campus and said his research shows evidence of that not being a problem. It is a crime to conceal carry under the age of 21. MR. RODVIK concluded that this bill contains a proper balance between the public safety interest of the university and two fundamental rights. The data shows that lawful adults who go through the rigorous process to obtain concealed hand gun permits will remain law abiding, will be properly suited to defend themselves and others, and won't distract from the learning environment on university campuses. 2:48:25 PM CHAD HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator John Coghill Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, described the CS for SB 176, Version Y, as the least restrictive alternative and a fair balance of the elements. CHAIR COGHILL noted that this is the first committee of referral. 2:49:35 PM SENATOR DYSON moved to [report the CS for SB 176, Version Y, from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note(s).] CHAIR COGHILL objected. He noted the legal principle is fully debated. He said the bill has a fiscal note and will go to the Senate Finance Committee. SENATOR DYSON wished that the definition of lock box was better and that long guns were permitted on campus. 2:50:59 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he would vote to move the bill forward because there are strong constitutional issues to support it. He recalled the examples in Utah and in Colorado with no incidences. CHAIR COGHILL removed his objection. CHAIR COGHILL announced that without objection, CSSB 176(JUD) was reported from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.