The University of Texas at Austin has banned guns in all campus buildings.

Another Texas college campus is putting an end to its gun-friendly policy.<br><br>The University of Texas at Austin announced Wednesday that it’s ending its 10-year policy to allow concealed handguns in certain campus buildings, a change that will take effect in March 2024.<br><br>The decision was the result of a ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August that declared the institution’s 2010 ban on guns in buildings unconstitutional.<br><br>Though it can no longer ban concealed carry entirely, the university is circumventing this ruling by declaring all campus buildings as “a place of higher education” – a move that allows it to ban permit-holding students and employees from bringing their handguns into any buildings unless the university says otherwise.<br><br>Guns will still be allowed on campus grounds, sidewalks and the surrounding areas. There is no ban in place for the outdoor spaces.<br><br>Non-UT affiliated individuals, however, are not allowed to carry weapons on campus, indoors or outdoors.<br><br>The university said it will hold public forums to hear from students on potential carve-outs that would allow for weapons in certain buildings.<br><br>Texas passed a law in 2016 that allowed concealed weapons in college campus buildings. However, each university was allowed to set their own policies.<br><br>UT Austin has been an outlier in its gun policies for a decade, prior to the law passing.<br><br>In 2015, a federal court ruled that the university's gun ban was unconstitutional – and that law-abiding licensed individuals have the right to carry weapons with them for the purpose of self-defense.<br><br>It was a major win for gun owners as well as advocates who have had a long history of protesting the ban on Second Amendment rights.<br><br>UT Austin President Jay Hartzell explained that the university’s updated policy was aimed at finding a middle ground between law-abiding gun owners and students who have expressed fears about carrying weapons.<br><br>“Safety has always been our No. 1 priority at UT Austin and this decision is a necessary step to protect everyone on our campus,” he said previously.<br><br>Conceal-and-carry license holders will still be allowed to bring handguns onto the campus, but they cannot bring them into any buildings.<br><br>The university is welcoming students to participate in the public forums to discuss potential exemptions.<br><br>Students voiced their reactions to the news.<br><br>Junior Aki Callender expressed disappointment and concern.<br><br>I don’t have a gun but I have been robbed at gunpoint about two months ago and I feel that this new policy is a step backwards.<br><br>In the past I have walked past campus late at night not feeling the need to carry a gun and the fact that campus is usually well-lit makes me feel safe.<br><br>But now I feel uncomfortable knowing people who support my safety may be banned from carrying guns and now I feel a lot more uncomfortable about walking around campus.<br><br>In contrast, junior Yakira Ford is in favor of the decision and believes it would make her feel safer.<br><br>I feel like this is a step in the right direction and as a college student, I shouldn’t have to worry about getting gunned down.<br><br>Knowing that I may have to deal with that type of trauma would cause me a lot of anxiety.