Institutions of higher learning might soon be prohibited from making it illegal to carry concealed firearms on campus.

Michigan House of Representatives Bill 5474 — introduced by state Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R–Traverse City) — would supersede a University ordinance that makes the entire campus weapons-free, according to Diane Brown, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.

However, the legislation would not overturn a state law already in effect which prohibits concealed firearms in certain places like classrooms, dormitories and arenas, according to Brown.

State Rep. James Bolger (R–Marshall), who co-introduced the bill, said it aims to eliminate inconsistencies in concealed firearms policies across the state.

For example, Bolger said, if a concealed pistol license holder passed through a college campus without the intention of getting out of his car, he could be stopped by a police officer for violating the weapons-free ordinance on campus under the current law.

“Now, that law-abiding citizen (would have) no idea of this,” Bolger said. “So this is the type of situation we’re looking to address.”

Bolger said because the bill does not change the rules for weapons-free areas like residence halls and classrooms on campus, he doesn’t believe the law would increase guns or violence on college campuses.

“I would argue all of this brings college campuses in compliance with the rest of the state,” he said. “I think people want to envision somehow this law would mean you’d have guns in classrooms or dormitories, or all over in campus. I really argue that it’s not going to do that.”

But Brown said the bill poses several safety issues for college campuses, pointing out that alcohol consumption paired with more guns could pose serious risks.

“I think essentially guns on college campuses don’t mix,” Brown said. “It’s an educational environment and … young people shouldn’t have to worry about what’s happening around them.”

While the bill would not change the pistol-free zones like classrooms, Brown said the definition of a classroom is an ambiguous one, since instructors often hold classes outside in the Arboretum or on the Diag.

“So if you extended the idea that you don’t want guns in a classroom, then a piece of that ought to extend much broader on a college campus setting,” Brown said.

“Then you can even look at it as a workplace issue and being in the workplace,” Brown continued. “Obviously you want to make it safe and secure and that wouldn’t be consistent with allowing guns on campus.”

Brown said she doesn’t think the bill is necessary because there have been so few firearms violations over the past few years.

“And we certainly haven’t had a lot of controversy or problems in the years we’ve had the weapons-free campus,” she said. “It hasn’t seemed to be particularly difficult to understand. In several years it’s been less than half a dozen violations with that law.”

With this bill, the potential for more violent situations could arise, Brown said.

“If you don’t allow guns, then there’s less likelihood that something could escalate from an argument into something much more violent,” Brown said. “The bottom line: we believe guns should be used only by those who are fully trained in their use — law enforcement officials — especially on a college campus.”

DPS Executive Director Ken Magee testified last week that the bill would create a more dangerous campus environment in front of the Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources, which is considering the legislation, according to Brown.

Unlike DPS, Michigan’s State Police have a neutral official stance on the bill, according to First Lt. Matt Bolger, legislative liaison for the Michigan State Police.