Everytown, Alaska Moms Denounce House Judiciary Committee Passage of Bill to Force Colleges and Universities to Allow Guns on Campus at Estimated Cost of $5.3 Million

JUNEAU, Ala. – The Alaska chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in response to the House Judiciary Committee passing Senate Bill 174, which would force the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska to allow guns on campus.

While the House Judiciary Committee passed the bill out of committee with no fiscal cost associated, the University of Alaska system has estimated an added security cost of $5.3 million. In the midst of SB 174 being debated in the legislature, the University of Alaska system is also facing significant budget cuts in the range of $77 million dollars – which includes cutting staff jobs and increases in tuition fees.

Currently, Alaska’s public colleges and universities can decide whether to allow guns on campus.

STATEMENT FROM CHELAN SCHREIFELS, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE ALASKA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“By voting this dangerous piece of legislation out of the House Judiciary Committee today, it’s obvious that our elected leaders have their priorities wrong. Senate Bill 174 is a completely misguided piece of legislation that will not only put our campus communities in harm’s way, but will force our University system to incur an added security cost of $5.3 million – all in the midst of massive budget issues in the state of Alaska. Our students shouldn’t be going to school worried about guns in classrooms, dormitories or health counseling centers – all while paying increased tuition fees with decreased staff – because gun lobby-backed legislators are attempting to ram a bill through the legislature. It’s time that our leaders in the House put the safety of our campus communities first and reject this bill immediately before it gets to Governor Walker’s desk.”