SMU Opts Out of Campus Carry

Southern Methodist University on Friday joined the growing list of Texas private colleges opting out of the state's new campus carry law. 

In a statement, SMU President R. Gerald Turner said the campus will remain weapon-free. Turner said university feedback was "overwhelmingly in favor" of continuing to ban guns. 

"More than two-thirds of students who responded to the Student Senate letter said they favored SMU remaining a weapons-free campus," he said in a letter to the campus community. "In addition, faculty, staff and students supported SMU remaining weapons free by 10 to 1 in their online responses."

Senate Bill 11, passed earlier this year, allows for the possession of handguns on college campuses by concealed license holders. Private universities have the right to opt out, however. So far, most of the state's major private schools have, including Baylor University, Texas Christian University and Rice University. 

Disclosure: Rice University and Southern Methodist University were corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune in 2013. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.