The Texas Senate preliminarily approved Senate Bill 11 today, which would allow for concealed handgun license carriers to carry on college campuses, including Sam Houston State University.

The approval came after more than 20 amendments to the bill were turned down by the Senate.

A sister House bill, authored in part by Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, and coauthored by SHSU alumnus Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, was also debated in the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

“I just think that the opportunity to be able to have self-defense when you need it is an important and essential aspect in college,” Bell said in an interview Monday.

University Police Chief Kevin Morris said in an interview in February he believes allowing concealed carry on campus would make officers’ jobs more difficult.

Bell disagreed, saying CHL holders would make a college campus safer.

“I don’t think you’re going to see challenges of that nature,” Bell said. “The folks who are most likely to take advantage are older, more mature, law-abiding citizens.”

Follow The Houstonian for updates on both SB11 and HB937.