University presidents perceptions and practices regarding concealed handguns on campus

Background: College campuses have traditionally been gun-free zones, efforts are underway by pro-gun organizations to change policies to allow the carrying of concealed handguns on university campuses. Purpose: To assess the perception and practices of university presidents regarding support for carrying concealed handguns on their campuses. Methods: Only institutions classified as four-year private for profit, private not-for-profit, and public institutions were included. An a priori power analysis indicated a suggested sample size of 338 participants to yield sufficient power. As a result, to obtain generalizability power, surveys were mailed to a national random sample of 900. A four-page, survey instrument was developed to assess perceptions and practices regarding the carrying of concealed firearms on college campuses (five point Likert-type response scale). A 3-wave postal mailing was sent using a variety of techniques to maximize response rate. Survey data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: 324 presidents (36%) responded. They were not supportive of faculty carrying handguns on campus (96%); would feel less safe if they did carry (85%), increase firearm homicides on campus (76%); 84% have an active shooter plan in place and 45% have trained faculty on active shooter situations. Multivariable logistic regression found males gender, political affiliation (Republican), growing up in home with firearms were independent predictors of support for carrying firearms on campus. Conclusions: University presidents are not supportive of concealed handguns on campus and their responses are congruent with regional studies of faculty and students.